The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne nodded in agreement.

It seemed that Leopold had handled things quite effectively.

"Is Cordelia's cooking really that amazing?" Percival couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Vivienne deliberately nodded, her gaze fixed on him, but her eyes betrayed a hint of distress, "Well, Mr. Wolf, your cooking is divine too. It's just that you're too busy to whip up something for me these days. I have no choice but to rely on Cordelia, or else I might starve."

"Who said I don't have the time?"

Percival magically produced a strawberry cheesecake from the car, "Made it this morning. Should we indulge now or wait?"

"Right now!"

Vivienne's eyes lit up at the sight of the strawberry cheesecake, and she eagerly took a bite.

The creamy texture mixed with the fresh scent of strawberries melted in her mouth, instantly dissolving any trace of her previous annoyance, though she still maintained a pretense of anger.

Percival, understanding her all too well, leaned in and coaxed in a low voice, "It's not that I don't want you at my place, I'm just worried your dad might actually charge into the Ellington estate with a shotgun if I whisk you away one more time."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, continuing to enjoy her cake, "Didn't you say with me by your side, you fear nothing?"

Percival chuckled bitterly, "It's not about fear, I just don't want to add unnecessary obstacles to us getting married. I've already discussed our wedding with Grandpa. As long as your parents agree, we can proceed however we wish."

Vivienne paused for a moment, "Really?"

Percival wrapped his arms around her tightly, his voice warm yet restrained, "Vivienne, I'm more eager about this than you are."

Vivienne's cheeks flushed.

She shyly turned her head, offering the spoon to Percival, "For being so honest, you get a bite. But just one, not a bit more."

Seeing her serious expression, Percival couldn't help but laugh, accepting the spoonful of cake with a whole strawberry on it from her hand.

of the cake

asked, "Didn't

mouth twitched, "I did, but might as

immediately understood. It seemed that besides strawberry cheesecake, he'd have to start bringing an extra breakfast for her, given Arthur's "thoughtful meals" weren't up to

construction site near a river at the southern

Percival got out and walked towards the location

was Percival's people who found it

been soaked overnight, had turned pale, especially noticeable at

the wound on the heart closely. The method was identical to previous cases, but it was clear the perpetrator was

arrival, she had already reviewed the victim's

from a nearby factory, attacked on her way back to her rented

site was just a

the perpetrator must have been desperate for these hearts,

had these young women done

of their lives, and the agony of having their

the sight of the bloated corpse, almost vomiting

stern look to

signaled to have the body taken away for proper

her somber expression, and

as if to both Percival

can't possibly be used in medicine, nor for viral research. If it's just someone's sick fascination, how

in their 'work'

something, Vivienne?" Before

and answered, "Draven,

but everything inside has been cleared

expression darkened, "Keep searching. They couldn't have vanished

snipers wasn't going to

instructions, Percival realized Vivienne had

pointed ahead before finding a

of corpses; his stomach just couldn't handle the