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.

more accurately, when he could finally open his left eye again, all

there, casually perusing the documents, and upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a mask?

you say you didn't want to see me? How else

out laughing. "Since when did you

don't have the energy to argue.

pouring

was dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would

Griffin said as if it were the most

just maybe, help me out and move the car

my garage isn't for

finally settling on the couch in

her work as if he was not even

stomach began to rumble. He tapped the desk,

gestured toward the fridge, "Help

nothing but instant noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda - the

not help but ask, "Is this

an affirmation, "Just me

some reason, Leopold felt a

Griffin seemed much

would be on a diet like

mumbling, "For a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not

floor under the light, falling across

only sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle

the couch, wolfing

was still engrossed in her research.

found Griffin asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two pens precariously perched in her

noodles

"You're working

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 was a little

into a more comfortable position on the

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