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.

or more accurately, when he could finally open his left eye again, all the

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

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

laughing. "Since when did you start following orders

energy to argue.

outside, "It's pouring rain, and the

"Wait, what? Why would they tow

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

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

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

speechless, finally settling

if he was not

began to rumble. He tapped the desk,

looking back, Griffin gestured toward

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

could not help but ask, "Is this what you

"Just me here, so I make

felt a sudden pang

first time, he noticed Griffin seemed

course, she would be on

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

on the floor under the light, falling

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

couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

rain had not stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his

awoke, he found Griffin asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen

instant noodles were

"You're

unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible.

her into a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his jacket

tossed it aside, grabbed