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

Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with

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

burst out laughing. "Since when did you start following

energy to

"It's pouring rain, and the cops towed

what? Why

blocking traffic," Griffin said as if it

his teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe,

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

was speechless, finally settling on the couch

work as if he

Leopold's stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

looking back, Griffin gestured toward

found nothing but instant noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of

not help but ask, "Is this what you usually

"Just me here,

felt a sudden

first time, he noticed Griffin

be on a

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

out on the floor under the light, falling across her

from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup,

on the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

rain had not stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually dozed off

blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two pens precariously perched

instant noodles

"You're working too

and squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught

a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his jacket

the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside,