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

have dinner first? We can always

"I really should be getting

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

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

comment was all it took

face that morning when she tasted his homemade brown sugar mochi and soy milk. Learning to cook

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

place, found himself inching back to the dining table. "Is this really

earnestly. "Mr. Linklater, Vivienne really does love pasta.

"Deal!"

only watch

was this god so hard

Arthur, all

of detail, the earnestness in his voice,

the scene was

more like a cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so thick; it was hard to

of plans. "Vivienne, Percival, it's

knowing glance, Percival stepped aside, offering, "Be my

curiosity warring with caution. "Nothing... inappropriate

had taught him to be wary. "You know,

him back in. "I didn't

was cut short by

"Vivienne!"

fingers, Leopold's

are you doing

made a beeline for Vivienne, his eyes lighting up. "My precious girl, you're here! Did you

shake her head at her father's

you planning

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

exasperation, couldn't bear to witness any more of their

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

to bring Arthur

dear mom had already started asking around for

the whole Linklater family

tonight. I'll come by another time when I'm