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 his left eye again,

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

you didn't want to see me? How else was I supposed to hide

"Since when did you

to argue. I've delivered your stuff; I'm out of

Griffin pointed outside, "It's pouring

dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would they tow

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

clenched his fists, grinding his teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help me out and move the car

my garage isn't for storing Husky

settling on the couch

her work as if he was not even

stomach began to rumble. He tapped the desk,

looking back, Griffin gestured

pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside

but ask, "Is

an affirmation, "Just me here, so I make

Leopold felt a

time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner

she would be

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

out on the floor under

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

the couch, wolfing down the

Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually

the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the

noodles were

"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 was a little

lifted her into a more comfortable position on the couch,

tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's car keys,