The Million-Dollar Heart

Sasha leaned on her hand with a smirk, grasping a first aid kit in the other, diligently applying ointment to Vivienne's bruised cheek.

Vivienne's lips, a shade of crimson, curled slightly. "This jacket of mine is barely holding together, might as well let him throw in the towel."

Sasha's brows knitted slightly at the comment, pressing a bit harder with the ointment. Vivienne hissed, "Geez, tough love! Got a husband and forgot your daughter, huh?"

"Zip it, or my hand might 'accidentally' slip, making you yelp in pain," Sasha retorted, pinching Vivienne's chin.

The banter went back and forth between the mother and daughter, with Vivienne occasionally dropping hints about her latest findings.

"Just the other day, I mentioned that case where the woman's heart was harvested. It wasn't an isolated incident; there have been disappearances elsewhere too. Yesterday, Mr. Wolf and I tracked a lead to a small town, and if I'm not mistaken, that place is swarming with snipers."

"What's odd, though, is that when Mr. Wolf and I entered, nobody took a shot at us. Logically, they should've taken us out on sight."

Sasha furrowed her brows, her tone grave, "You and Percival might be carrying something they need."

Vivienne seemed to agree with that theory. But what could it be that they needed?

Shifting gears, Vivienne dipped her finger in a glass of water, sketching symbols she recalled seeing in the town on the dining table.

Each symbol appeared simple yet was difficult to replicate accurately. She managed to draw them roughly on the table.

to the town, I stumbled upon these symbols. Mom, do you

think I've seen these symbols in a book before, but not from around here.

at the time. It might take a while

to the bottom

move?" Arthur chimed in, entering

gaze shifting to the

bore thick slices of American toast topped with fried eggs

the toast's smiley faces, paused, then stoically took a bite. Truth be told, she wasn't much for Western breakfasts, having a preference for

watched her face for any sign of

the taste,

urged Vivienne

have a soft spot for traditional meals." Arthur's heart

he remembered the chaos of his kitchen experiments, none of which turned out

he saw finishing her toast and then starting on the second slice, her

artfully outlined a strawberry cheesecake, albeit a simplified version. Vivienne separated the strawberry design with

attempt at a traditional breakfast and a jug of homemade soy

poking at a charred mass with her fork. "Is this supposed to

shook his head, muttering, "It was supposed to be

culinary disaster, Sasha felt a mix of sympathy and pride, patting him on the back. "You're just starting out. Keep practicing, and maybe get some tips from the chef. You'll get there!" As Sasha pushed a piece onto Vivienne's plate with

deeply, "This soy milk hasn't been strained properly. And as for