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

awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking

nuts! Didn't you say you didn't

burst out laughing. "Since when did you start following orders

don't have the energy to argue. I've delivered your

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

"Wait, what? Why would

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

just maybe, help me out and move the car

"Sorry, my garage

was speechless, finally settling

her work as if he was

began to rumble.

looking back, Griffin gestured toward

and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans

ask, "Is this what

"Just me

felt a sudden pang of

the first time, he noticed Griffin seemed

of course, she would be on a diet like

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? This..." He turned

out on the floor under the light,

from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup, then placed it

couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

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

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

noodles were

sighed. "You're

right eye less swollen, he approached and squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly,

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

the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed