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.

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

shadow of recognition crossing her features. "I think I've seen these symbols in a book before, but not from around here.

didn't delve deep into it at the time. It might take a while to dig

want to get to the bottom of this. It could help us

Arthur chimed

shifting to the trays in Arthur's

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 drawing two big smiley faces on

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 approval.

"How's the taste, sweetheart? If it's not good, I'll make it

Vivienne for a serious

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

of

her toast and then starting on the second slice, her expression changing slightly

albeit a simplified version. Vivienne separated the strawberry design with her fork, tasting it and said, "Bring

returning with his attempt at a traditional breakfast and

skeptically, poking at a charred mass with her fork. "Is this

muttering, "It was supposed to be

some tips from the chef. You'll get there!" As Sasha pushed a piece onto Vivienne's plate with a triumphant grin, implying there was no escaping this meal, Vivienne reluctantly took a sip of the soy milk, grimacing at its

hasn't been strained properly. And as for this