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.

or more accurately, when he could finally open

seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a mask? How do you

you didn't want to see me? How else was I supposed

nearly burst out laughing. "Since when did

have the energy to

"It's pouring rain, and

what? Why would

blocking traffic," Griffin said as if it

teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help

my garage isn't for storing Husky

was speechless, finally settling

as if he

Leopold's stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

looking back, Griffin gestured toward the fridge, "Help

pre-made sandwiches inside,

help but ask, "Is this what you usually

hummed an affirmation, "Just me here, so I

reason, Leopold felt

noticed Griffin seemed

of course, she would be on a diet like

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

floor under

licked his lips and silently added the only sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's

on the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually dozed off on the

Griffin asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other

noodles

"You're

his right eye less swollen, he approached and squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face

into a more comfortable position

instant noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's car keys, and