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

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

"I really should be getting

kitchen stopped him in his tracks. "What's that incredible smell?

any specific cuisine. Just some homemade pasta with a few

comment was 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 could mean getting her to beg

he'd have his beloved daughter eating out of the

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

"Mr. Linklater, Vivienne really does love pasta. You're

"Deal!"

could only watch

god so hard

all seriousness, learning the art of perfect

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

Vivienne, the scene was

cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so

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

Percival stepped aside, offering, "Be

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

he was particularly quick on the uptake, but past experiences with this couple had taught him to be wary. "You know, I just remembered I have this thing at

unceremoniously dragged him back in. "I

short by a familiar

"Vivienne!"

his fingers, Leopold's jaw dropped.

you

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

shake her head at her

I hadn't come, were you planning to

course not. If I dared stay out overnight, your mom would be here with a knife in twenty

bear to witness any more of their public displays

and

to bring

had already

bring him back soon, the whole Linklater

too late tonight. I'll come