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, all the

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

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

nearly burst out laughing. "Since when did you start

"I don't have the energy to argue.

"It's pouring rain, and

dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would they

it were the most obvious thing

his fists, grinding his teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help

my garage isn't for storing Husky

settling on the couch

continued her work as if he was not

stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

Griffin gestured

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

could not help but ask,

an affirmation, "Just me here,

some reason, Leopold felt a sudden

Griffin seemed

of course, she would be on a diet like

take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the

the floor under the light, falling across her

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

sat on the couch, wolfing

still engrossed in her research. Bored

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

instant noodles

sighed. "You're working too

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

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

noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's