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.

accurately, when he could finally open his left eye again, all the lights in Griffin's place

perusing the documents, and upon seeing 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 hide my

laughing. "Since when did

energy to argue.

pointed outside, "It's pouring rain,

what? Why would they tow my

said as if it were the most obvious thing in

you, just maybe, help me out and move

my garage isn't

speechless, finally settling

if he was

rumble. He tapped the desk,

looking back, Griffin gestured

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

not help but ask, "Is this what you

hummed an affirmation, "Just me here,

some reason, Leopold felt a

he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than

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 house? This..." He turned

floor under the

lips and silently added the only sausage left from the fridge

the couch, wolfing down

still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually dozed off on the

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

noodles were

sighed. "You're working

thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face was a little flushed, and so was his

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

noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's