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.

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

I've seen these symbols in

into it at the time. It might take

to get to the bottom of this.

a next move?" Arthur

shifting to the trays in Arthur's

proudly placed the breakfast he prepared in front of Vivienne and Sasha. One plate bore thick slices of American toast topped with fried eggs and a generous squirt of ketchup, with Arthur

be told, she wasn't much for Western breakfasts, having a preference for

of approval. Vivienne ate quietly, giving nothing

Arthur asked, "How's the taste, sweetheart? If it's

urged Vivienne for a

food. It's alright, but I have a soft spot for traditional meals." Arthur's heart leapt at

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

and then starting

ketchup artfully outlined a strawberry cheesecake, albeit a simplified version. Vivienne separated the strawberry design with her fork, tasting it and said, "Bring it out then. Wasting

attempt at a traditional breakfast and a jug of

mass with her fork.

his head, muttering, "It was supposed to be

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

"This soy milk hasn't been strained properly. And as for this 'great task', I think it's best left to