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.

could finally open

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

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

out laughing. "Since when did

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

pouring rain, and the

what? Why would they tow

traffic," Griffin said as if it were the most obvious thing in

just maybe, help me out and move

smirked. "Sorry, my garage isn't for storing Husky

speechless, finally settling on the

work as if he was not even

Leopold's stomach began to rumble. He

looking back, Griffin gestured toward the fridge, "Help

pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside

could not help but ask, "Is this

hummed an affirmation, "Just me here, so I

felt a sudden

first time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than he

of course, she would be on a

young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house? This..." He turned to find Griffin

stretched out on the floor under the light,

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

couch, wolfing

and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored

Griffin asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two

instant noodles

"You're working too

staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly,

a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his

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