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.

all, Arthur had come all this way to learn, and for Vivienne's sake, they couldn't just send him away

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

really should be getting back

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

any specific cuisine. Just some

comment was all it took

tasted his homemade brown sugar mochi and soy milk. Learning

his beloved daughter eating out of the palm

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

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

"Deal!"

could only

god so hard

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

his voice, you'd

the scene was beyond

Dorian, sitting opposite him, look more like a cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension

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

knowing glance, Percival stepped

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

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

unceremoniously dragged him back in. "I didn't see

short by

"Vivienne!"

Leopold's jaw

you

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

only shake her head

you planning to move

If I dared stay out overnight, your mom

couldn't bear to witness any more

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

to bring Arthur

dear mom had already started asking

bring him back soon, the whole Linklater family would

too late tonight. I'll come by another time