The Million-Dollar Heart

Seeing the whole spectacle unfolding, Cordelia nearly burst into laughter, quickly covering her mouth and shooting Dorian a significant look that screamed, "You better spill the beans!" She then hurried off to the kitchen to whip up some dinner.

And of course, she didn't miss the opportunity to snap a photo and send it to Vivienne.

At that moment, Vivienne was racing back from another location, having just discovered another female victim.

Like the others, her heart had been gruesomely removed.

And again, she was a young woman.

The message made Vivienne's lips twitch involuntarily. Turning to Leopold, who was driving, she commanded, "Forget going back to the Linklaters'. Head to the Brooks' place."

Without missing a beat, Leopold made a quick U-turn, his compliance shining through. "Sure thing. And I've been craving some of Cordelia's cooking. Moving that body was a real workout." Thomas, sitting quietly beside them, couldn't help but wonder, "Are these two even related?"

Percival, wrapping his arm around Vivienne's waist, asked softly, "What's going on?"

Struggling to explain the bizarre situation, Vivienne simply handed her phone over to him.

Percival's brow twitched in disbelief before he chuckled, "Now, that's something you don't see every day."

He then added with a smirk, "Seems like your dad's really putting in the effort."

Vivienne knew exactly why Arthur was at the Brooks' place, which only added to her frustration. "I just hope he doesn't scare Dorian or Cordelia. Especially Dorian. He's not exactly the bravest."

An hour later.

Dorian, overwhelmed by Arthur, who had meticulously noted down even the casual conversations he had with Vivienne, started to believe Arthur's genuine interest in learning.

But the intensity of this War God's enthusiasm was more than Dorian could handle.

Now, he just wanted to escape.

Vivienne was his only hope.

Just as Dorian was about to text her for rescue, Arthur's voice cut through again.

"Mr. Hawthorn, when you said Vivienne doesn't like being hugged, what kind of hug were you referring to?"

Dorian was speechless.

When Cordelia entered from the kitchen, she found Dorian sending her desperate SOS signals with his eyes. She chose to ignore them.

all this way to learn, and for Vivienne's sake, they couldn't just send him

Linklater, why don't we have dinner first? We can always take notes

already standing up, hesitated. "I really should be

in his tracks. "What's that incredible smell? What kind

specific cuisine. Just some homemade pasta with

comment was all it took

that morning when she tasted his homemade brown sugar mochi and soy milk. Learning to cook Vivienne's favorite dishes could

mean he'd have his beloved daughter eating out of

planning to leave in the first place, found himself inching back to the dining table.

her, nodded earnestly. "Mr. Linklater, Vivienne really does love pasta. You're welcome to try

"Deal!"

could only watch in

this god so hard to

caught Arthur, all

earnestness in his voice,

the scene was

made even Dorian, sitting opposite him, look more like a cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so thick; it was hard to swallow

half-expecting another change of plans. "Vivienne, Percival, it's getting

stepped

hesitated, his curiosity warring with

past experiences with this couple had taught him to be wary. "You know,

him back in. "I

short

"Vivienne!"

through his fingers, Leopold's

you doing

ignoring him, made a beeline for Vivienne, his eyes lighting up. "My precious girl, you're here! Did you come to fetch

only shake her head

come, were you planning

your mom would be here with a knife in twenty minutes. You

between amusement and exasperation, couldn't bear to witness any more of their

inside where Dorian and Cordelia were waiting,

to bring

mom had already started asking around

the whole Linklater family would

too late tonight. I'll come by another time