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.

way to learn, and

don't we have dinner first? We can always

"I really should

from the kitchen stopped him in his tracks.

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

last comment was all it took to keep Arthur

sugar mochi and soy

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

in the first place, found himself inching back

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

"Deal!"

only watch in

this god so hard to

caught Arthur, all seriousness, learning the

voice, you'd think they

scene was beyond

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

of plans. "Vivienne, Percival, it's getting late. Even workaholics

a knowing glance, Percival stepped aside, offering,

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

with this couple had taught him to be wary. "You know, I just remembered

him back

protest was cut short by

"Vivienne!"

Leopold's jaw

are you

"My precious girl, you're here! Did you come to fetch me

her head at

come, were you planning to move in

If I dared stay out overnight, your mom would be here with a knife in twenty minutes. You know I

to

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

knew she had to bring

dear mom had already started asking

back soon, the

too late tonight. I'll come by another time when