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.

had come all this way to learn, and for Vivienne's sake,

Linklater, why don't we have dinner first?

already standing up, hesitated. "I really should be getting back to

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

"It's not any specific cuisine. Just some homemade pasta with a few side dishes.

last comment was all it

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

just mean he'd have his beloved daughter eating

to leave in the first place, found himself inching

Vivienne really does love

"Deal!"

only watch

god so hard to

stepped inside when she caught Arthur, all seriousness, learning the art

in his voice, you'd think they were strategizing a major battle

scene was beyond

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

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

knowing glance, Percival stepped aside,

Leopold hesitated, his curiosity warring with caution.

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

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

was cut short

"Vivienne!"

through his fingers, Leopold's jaw dropped.

are you

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

her head at her

hadn't come, were you planning

overnight, your mom would

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

Dorian and

she had to

mom had already

the whole Linklater family would

tonight. I'll