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.

open his left eye again, all the

she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a mask? How do you expect someone

who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to

"Since when did you start following orders

"I don't have the energy to

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

what? Why would they tow my

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

just maybe, help me out and move the car into your

garage

speechless, finally settling on

continued her work as if he was

stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

Griffin gestured toward the

but instant noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda - the

help but ask, "Is this what

affirmation, "Just me

some reason, Leopold felt a sudden pang

Griffin seemed much thinner than

would be on

started 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

stretched out on the floor

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

couch, wolfing

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

blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two pens

instant noodles were

"You're working

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 little flushed, and so was

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

noodles, he tossed it aside,