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 the lights in Griffin's place were

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

say you didn't want to see me?

nearly burst out laughing. "Since when did

to argue. I've

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

what? Why would they tow

if it were the most obvious

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

my garage isn't

finally settling on the

as if he

Leopold's stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

gestured toward the fridge, "Help

noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of

ask, "Is this what you usually

an affirmation, "Just me here, so I

reason, Leopold felt a sudden pang

noticed Griffin seemed

be on a diet like

cups of noodles, mumbling, "For a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house? This..."

stretched out on the floor under the

only sausage left from the fridge into

sat on the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

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

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

noodles

sighed. "You're working

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

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

noodles, he tossed it aside,