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.

came to, or more accurately, when he could finally open

casually perusing the documents, and upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind

one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to see

burst out laughing. "Since when did you

have the energy to argue.

outside, "It's pouring rain, and

was dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would they

it were the most obvious thing in the

teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe,

"Sorry, my garage isn't

was speechless, finally settling on the couch in

continued her work as if he was not even

Leopold's stomach began to rumble.

back, Griffin gestured toward the

inside,

but ask, "Is this what you usually

an affirmation, "Just me here,

felt a sudden

first time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than he

be on

started preparing two cups of noodles, mumbling, "For a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or

stretched out on the floor under the light,

lips and silently added the only sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup, then placed it quietly on the desk

on the couch, wolfing

her research. Bored

leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two pens precariously

instant noodles

sighed. "You're

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

lifted her into a more comfortable

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