The Million-Dollar Heart

As the quartet happily indulged in a cozy fondue dinner, Leopold brought over the documents from headquarters.

Peering through the empty doorway, Leopold hesitated, unsure whether to enter.

He texted Anna: [Where are you guys?]

Anna, who had not quite finished chewing her lamb, hit the voice message button, "On a mission, gotta stick to Ms. Vivienne like glue." Vivienne said, "Just drop the stuff off, and don't be a nuisance. You mess up the deal, I'll break your legs."

Percival added his own threat, "I'll dislocate your arm."

Thomas kept it simple, "Good luck, man!"

Listening to the sounds of bubbling fondue, fizzing sodas, and the stubborn mastication of lamb, Leopold was in disbelief.

Was this really a mission?

This was sheer torture!

But he had no choice; he had to deliver the documents quickly.

Griffin had already sent a reminder in the Little Bombs group chat - a special group Vivienne had created for convenience. With no other option, Leopold donned a mask and hat, covering himself completely, and entered Griffin's home.

The evening was setting in, and Griffin had only a desk lamp on, leaving the main lights off.

Three different-colored pens lay strewn across documents, each marking various annotations. Leopold cleared his throat gently, but Griffin showed no reaction.

He moved closer and tapped Griffin's head with the documents, "Hey, the papers..."

"Ah!"

Bam!

Stars danced before Leopold's eyes as he staggered backward and collapsed to the floor.

came to, or more accurately, when he could finally open his left eye again, all the lights in

upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up

his right eye. "You're the one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to see me? How else was I supposed to hide

"Since when did

energy to argue. I've delivered your stuff; I'm out of

fast," Griffin pointed outside, "It's pouring rain, and the cops

"Wait, what? Why would they tow my

Griffin said as if it were the most obvious thing in the

"Couldn't you, just maybe, help me

"Sorry, my garage isn't for

settling on the couch in

her work as if he was not

stomach began to rumble. He

looking back, Griffin gestured toward the fridge, "Help

sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda

ask, "Is this

an affirmation, "Just me here, so I make

some reason, Leopold felt a sudden pang of

first time, he noticed Griffin

be on a diet

care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house? This..." He turned to find

stretched out on the floor under the light, falling across her

sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup,

on the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

her research.

against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the

instant noodles

sighed. "You're working too

his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face was a little flushed, and

a few minutes of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on the couch,

he tossed it aside, grabbed