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

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

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

burst out laughing. "Since when did

"I don't have the energy to argue. I've

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

was dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why

if it were the most obvious

teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help me out and move the car into your

"Sorry, my garage isn't for storing

speechless, finally settling on the couch

continued her work as if he was

stomach began to rumble. He tapped the desk,

looking back, Griffin gestured

noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda - the classic bachelor's

help but ask,

an affirmation, "Just me here, so

Leopold felt a sudden pang

Griffin seemed much thinner than he

she would be on a diet

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

floor under the

fridge into Griffin's noodle cup,

sat on the couch, wolfing

stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her

he found Griffin asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand,

instant noodles

sighed. "You're working too

her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face

a few minutes of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on the

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