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 recognize any of

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

time. It might

get to the bottom of this. It could help us plan our

move?" Arthur

gaze shifting to the trays in Arthur's

of Vivienne and Sasha. One plate bore thick slices of American toast topped with fried eggs and

took a bite. Truth be told, she wasn't much for Western breakfasts,

face for any sign of

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

urged Vivienne

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

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

missed opportunity, he saw finishing her toast and then starting on

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

to the kitchen, returning with his attempt at a

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

sheepishly shook his head, muttering, "It

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

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