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

upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black

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

"Since when did you start following orders so

sharply. "I don't have the energy to argue. I've delivered your stuff; I'm out

outside, "It's pouring rain,

what? Why would they

if it were the most obvious thing in the

maybe, help me out and

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

settling on the

her work as if

Leopold's stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

gestured toward the fridge, "Help

pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda -

could not help but ask, "Is

me here, so I make

felt

noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than he

would be on a diet like

mumbling, "For a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house? This..." He turned to find Griffin with headphones

on the floor under the light, falling

his lips and silently added the only sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup,

wolfing

engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold

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

instant noodles

sighed. "You're working too

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

silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his

the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's car