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.

this way to learn, and for

we have dinner first? We can always

already standing up, hesitated. "I really should

stopped him in his tracks. "What's

any specific cuisine. Just some homemade

all it

sugar mochi and soy milk. Learning to cook Vivienne's favorite dishes could mean getting her to beg him

mean he'd have his beloved daughter eating

first place, found himself inching back to the

Vivienne really does love pasta. You're

"Deal!"

only watch in

was this god so

she caught Arthur, all seriousness, learning the art of perfect

of detail, the earnestness in his voice, you'd think they were

Vivienne, the scene

look more like a cutthroat professional by comparison. The

trailing behind, paused at the entrance, half-expecting another change of plans.

knowing glance, Percival stepped

Leopold hesitated, his curiosity warring

had taught him to be

unceremoniously dragged him back in. "I

short by

"Vivienne!"

Leopold's jaw

you doing

"My precious girl, you're here!

could only shake her head at her father's

hadn't come, were you planning

If I dared stay out overnight, your mom would be here

to witness any more

a sigh, she headed inside where Dorian and Cordelia

knew she had to bring Arthur

dear mom had already started asking around

soon, the whole

late tonight. I'll come by another time