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

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

one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to see me? How

"Since when

the energy to

outside, "It's pouring rain, and the

dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would they tow my

blocking traffic," Griffin said as if it were the

grinding his teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help me out and

my garage isn't for storing

was speechless, finally settling on the couch in

work as if he

rumble. He

looking back, Griffin gestured toward the

noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside

could not help but ask, "Is this what

hummed an affirmation, "Just me

felt a sudden pang

time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than he

she would be on

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 to

out on the floor under the light, falling across

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

the couch, wolfing down

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

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

instant noodles

sighed. "You're

his right eye less swollen, he approached and squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face was

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

he tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's car keys,