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.

that, the rest of

always observant, asked, "Didn't have breakfast this

twitched, "I did, but might

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

site near a river

got out and walked

who found it first, preventing any public

body, having been soaked overnight, had turned pale, especially noticeable

the wound on the heart closely. The method was identical to previous cases, but it was clear the perpetrator was in a hurry this time, taking two

already reviewed the victim's

shift worker from a nearby factory, attacked on her way back

was just a street away

perpetrator must have been desperate for these hearts, choosing victims

what had these young women done to deserve

and the agony of having their hearts

pale at the sight of the bloated corpse, almost vomiting his

a stern look to get

gloves, signaled to have the body

somber expression, and

turned towards him, speaking as

be used in medicine, nor for viral research.

their

"Did you think of something, Vivienne?" Before she could answer, her phone

glanced at it and answered,

but everything inside has been cleared out,

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

going to be

Percival realized Vivienne had disappeared

pale, pointed ahead before finding a

his stomach just couldn't handle