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

her features. "I think I've seen these symbols in a book before, but not

time. It might take a while to

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

a next move?" Arthur

her gaze shifting to the trays

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 drawing two big smiley faces on them to cheer up his

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

any sign of approval. Vivienne ate

to contain himself, Arthur asked, "How's the taste, sweetheart?

urged Vivienne for a serious

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

his words, he remembered the chaos of his

then

a strawberry cheesecake, albeit a simplified version. Vivienne separated the strawberry design with her fork,

attempt at a traditional breakfast and a jug of homemade

a charred mass with her

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

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 a triumphant grin, implying there was no escaping this meal, Vivienne reluctantly took a sip of the soy milk, grimacing at

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