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.

way to learn, and for Vivienne's sake, they couldn't

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

up, hesitated. "I really should

the enticing aroma coming from the kitchen stopped him in his tracks. "What's that incredible smell? What kind of cuisine is

laughed. "It's not any specific cuisine. Just some homemade pasta with

was all it took to keep

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 could mean getting her to beg him to

wouldn't that just mean he'd have his beloved daughter

planning to leave in the first place, found himself inching back to the dining table. "Is this really Vivienne's

he doubted her, nodded earnestly. "Mr. Linklater, Vivienne really

"Deal!"

only

so

caught Arthur, all seriousness, learning

detail, the earnestness in his voice, you'd think

the scene

like a cutthroat professional by

entrance, half-expecting another change of plans. "Vivienne, Percival, it's

glance, Percival stepped aside, offering,

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

particularly quick on the uptake, but past experiences with this couple had taught him to

him back in. "I didn't

short by

"Vivienne!"

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

are you

"My precious girl, you're here! Did

shake her head at her

I hadn't come, were you planning to

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

caught between amusement and exasperation, couldn't bear to witness any

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

knew she had to bring Arthur

mom had already started

the whole Linklater family would be in

it's too late tonight. I'll come by another