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 the lights in Griffin's

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

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

"Since when did you start

have the energy to argue. I've delivered your

fast," Griffin pointed outside, "It's pouring rain, and the cops

"Wait, what? Why would

if it

just maybe,

"Sorry, my garage isn't for storing Husky

finally settling

her work as if he was not even

began to rumble. He tapped

gestured

pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside

help but ask, "Is this what you

an affirmation, "Just me here, so I make

felt a sudden

he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner

of course, she would be on a

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

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

sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup,

the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

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

blue pen still clutched in hand,

noodles

"You're working too

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 was a little flushed,

a few minutes of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his jacket

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