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 for Vivienne's sake, they couldn't just send him

don't we have dinner first? We

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

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

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

was all it took to keep Arthur

look on Vivienne's face 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 cook every

just mean he'd have his beloved daughter eating out

planning to leave in the first place, found himself inching back to the dining table. "Is this

earnestly. "Mr. Linklater, Vivienne really does love pasta. You're

"Deal!"

could only watch in

this god so hard to

Arthur, all seriousness,

his voice, you'd

scene

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

half-expecting another change of plans.

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

something amiss, Leopold hesitated, his curiosity warring with

he was particularly quick on the uptake, but past experiences with this couple had taught him to be wary. "You know, I just remembered I have this thing at

dragged him back in. "I didn't see

short by

"Vivienne!"

through his fingers, Leopold's jaw dropped.

are you doing

for Vivienne, his eyes lighting up. "My precious girl, you're

only shake her head at

were you

not. If I dared stay out overnight, your mom would be here with a knife in twenty minutes. You know I can't

couldn't bear to witness any more of

headed inside where Dorian and Cordelia were waiting, hoping

knew she had to bring Arthur back

dear mom had already started asking around for

she didn't bring him back soon, the whole Linklater family would be

late tonight. I'll come by another time