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.

finally open his left eye again, all the lights

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 to

one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to see me? How else was I supposed to hide

burst out laughing. "Since when

don't have the energy to argue. I've delivered your stuff;

pointed outside, "It's pouring rain, and

dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would

blocking traffic," Griffin said as if it were the most

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

garage isn't

was speechless, finally settling on

work as if he was

rumble. He

looking back, Griffin gestured

pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of

could not help but ask, "Is this what you usually

me here,

felt a sudden pang

the first time, he noticed Griffin seemed much

she would be on a diet like

young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the

floor under the

the fridge

on the couch, wolfing

stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his

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

noodles were

sighed. "You're working too

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,

of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position

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