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

why don't we have dinner first?

up, hesitated. "I really should

the kitchen stopped him in his tracks. "What's

laughed. "It's not any specific cuisine. Just some

it took to keep Arthur

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

that just mean he'd have his beloved daughter

himself

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

"Deal!"

could only

was this god so hard

caught Arthur, all seriousness, learning the art of

level of detail, the earnestness in his voice,

scene

him, look more like a cutthroat professional by comparison. The tension was so

half-expecting another change of plans. "Vivienne, Percival, it's

Percival stepped aside, offering,

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

experiences with this couple had taught him to be

back

cut short by a familiar

"Vivienne!"

his fingers, Leopold's jaw

you

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

only shake her

I hadn't come, were you planning to move in

If I dared stay out overnight, your mom

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

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

to bring

dear mom had already started asking around

bring him back soon, the whole Linklater family would be in

I'll come by another time when