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.

learn, and for Vivienne's sake, they couldn't just send

why don't we have dinner first? We

already standing up, hesitated. "I really should be getting back

aroma coming from the kitchen stopped him in his tracks. "What's that incredible

understanding Dorian's plight in an instant, laughed. "It's not any specific cuisine. Just some homemade pasta

all it took

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

just mean he'd have his beloved daughter eating out of the palm of his

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

Vivienne really does love pasta. You're welcome to

"Deal!"

only watch

this god so hard

all seriousness, learning the art of

the earnestness in his voice, you'd

scene was

look more like a cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so thick;

behind, paused at the entrance, half-expecting another change of plans. "Vivienne, Percival, it's getting late. Even workaholics deserve

Percival stepped aside, offering, "Be

something amiss, Leopold hesitated, his curiosity warring with caution. "Nothing... inappropriate going on,

experiences with this couple had taught him to be wary. "You know, I just remembered I have this thing at

him back

short by

"Vivienne!"

fingers, Leopold's jaw dropped. "War...

you

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

only shake her

I hadn't come, were you planning to move in

If I dared stay out overnight, your mom would be here with a knife in twenty minutes. You know I can't

and exasperation, couldn't bear to witness any more

inside where Dorian and Cordelia were waiting, hoping she'd stay for

to bring

had already started asking

him back soon, the whole Linklater family

late tonight. I'll come by another time when I'm