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

don't we have dinner first? We can

already standing 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

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

all it took to keep Arthur

brown sugar mochi and soy milk. Learning

just mean he'd have his beloved daughter eating out of the

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

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

"Deal!"

only watch

this god so hard to

she caught Arthur, all seriousness, learning the art of perfect pasta

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

the scene was

a cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so thick; it was hard to swallow your

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

knowing glance, Percival stepped

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

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

unceremoniously dragged him back in. "I

was cut short by a

"Vivienne!"

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

you doing

up. "My precious girl, you're here! Did you come to

shake her head at her father's

were you planning to move

"Of course not. If I dared stay out overnight, your mom would be here with a knife in twenty minutes. You know I can't

to witness any more of their

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

knew she had to bring Arthur

already started asking

the whole Linklater family would be in an

I'll come by another time