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.

he could finally open

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

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

laughing. "Since when did you start

don't have the energy to

pointed outside, "It's pouring rain, and the cops towed your

was dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would they tow my

said as if it were

grinding his teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help me out and move

smirked. "Sorry, my garage isn't for storing Husky

speechless, finally settling on

continued her work as if he was not even

began to rumble. He tapped the

Griffin gestured toward the fridge,

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

could not help but ask, "Is

an affirmation, "Just me

reason, Leopold felt a sudden pang

he noticed Griffin seemed

course, she would be on a diet like

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

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

from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup, then placed it quietly on

couch, wolfing down

stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually dozed off on

blue pen still clutched in

instant noodles were

sighed. "You're working too

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

into a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his jacket

the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside,