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.

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

we have dinner first? We can always take

up, hesitated. "I really should

him in his tracks. "What's

any specific cuisine. Just some homemade pasta with a few side

last comment was all it took to keep Arthur

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

have his beloved

never planning to leave in the first place, found himself

Linklater, Vivienne really does

"Deal!"

could only watch

this god so hard

all seriousness, learning the art of

detail, the earnestness in his voice,

scene was beyond

cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so thick;

change of plans. "Vivienne, Percival, it's getting late. Even workaholics deserve

glance, Percival stepped aside,

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

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

him back in. "I didn't

cut short

"Vivienne!"

through his fingers, Leopold's jaw dropped.

you

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

were you planning to

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

couldn't bear to witness any more of their public

sigh, she headed inside where Dorian and Cordelia were waiting, hoping she'd

knew she had to bring Arthur

had already started asking around

him back soon, the whole Linklater family would be in

I'll come by another time when I'm