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.

and for Vivienne's sake,

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

up, hesitated. "I really

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

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

last comment was all it took to keep Arthur

brown sugar mochi and soy milk. Learning to cook Vivienne's favorite dishes could mean

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

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

nodded earnestly. "Mr. Linklater, Vivienne really does love pasta.

"Deal!"

only

was this god so hard to

barely stepped inside when she caught Arthur, all

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

scene was beyond

Dorian, sitting opposite him, look more like a cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so

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

stepped

something amiss, Leopold hesitated, his curiosity warring with caution.

couple had taught him to be wary. "You know, I just remembered I

him back in.

cut short by a

"Vivienne!"

through his fingers, Leopold's

are you

a beeline for Vivienne, his eyes lighting up. "My precious girl, you're here! Did you come to fetch me because I wasn't

could only shake her head at

I hadn't come, were you planning to

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

exasperation, couldn't bear to witness any more of their public

inside where Dorian and Cordelia

she had to bring Arthur

already started asking around for

she didn't bring him back soon, the whole Linklater family would be

I'll come by another time when