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.

Arthur had come all this way to learn, and

have dinner

"I really

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

not any specific cuisine. Just some homemade pasta with a few

last comment was all it took

remembered the look on Vivienne's face that morning when she tasted his homemade brown sugar mochi and soy milk.

beloved daughter eating

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

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

"Deal!"

only watch

so

caught Arthur, all

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

the scene was

cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so thick; it was hard

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

glance, Percival stepped aside, offering,

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

but past experiences with this couple had taught him to be wary.

him back in.

cut short by a familiar

"Vivienne!"

fingers, Leopold's jaw dropped.

you doing

Vivienne, his eyes lighting up. "My precious girl, you're

her head at her father's

you

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

bear to

and

knew she had to bring Arthur back

dear mom had already started asking around

the whole Linklater family would be in an

too late tonight. I'll