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.

stumbled upon these symbols. Mom, do you recognize any of

a shadow of recognition crossing her features. "I think I've seen these symbols

delve deep into it at the time. It might take a while to dig that

Mom. I want to get to the bottom of this.

a next move?" Arthur chimed

went silent, her gaze shifting to the trays

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 drawing two big smiley faces on them to cheer up his

then stoically took a bite. Truth be told, she

of approval.

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

gaze urged Vivienne for a

sigh, Vivienne admitted, "I'm not picky about food. It's alright, but I have a soft spot for traditional meals."

chaos of his

toast and then starting on the second slice, her expression

red 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 food is

kitchen, returning with his attempt at a traditional

food skeptically, poking at a charred mass with

head, muttering, "It was supposed to

Keep practicing, and maybe get 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,

been strained properly. And as for this 'great task', I think it's best