The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Leopold could not believe it as the call abruptly ended.

Griffin hung up on him!

This was not normal!

Even Vivienne was taken aback. She remembered quite vividly what Griffin was like the last time they met.

But this time, it was a complete turnaround.

Taking a deep breath, Leopold joined Vivienne and Percival on their way to the Runxing Community.

In the residential area.

Griffin was waiting at the front door. As soon as she saw Vivienne, she greeted her warmly, “Vivienne, long time no see.”

“It has been a while,” Vivienne greeted back.

“Come on in,” Griffin said as she opened the door. “It’s just me at home.”

Vivienne and Percival walked in side by side, followed closely by Anna.

Just as Leopold was about to follow them inside, Griffin suddenly shut the door and said sternly, “Didn’t you hear me? It’s just me at home. You think you can just barge into a lady’s private space?”

Leopold was almost speechless. He incredulously pointed at Percival. “What about him?”

“He’s Vivienne’s fiancé, practically family. Of course, he can come in,” Griffin said, raising an eyebrow at Leopold. “And you are?”

With a thud, the door closed, leaving Leopold alone in the chilling wind.

Griffin’s place was not like the typical girl’s house. It had an old-fashioned charm, with mahogany furniture and a table in the center of the living room.

The only out-of-place item was a Husky figurine on the tea table.

Vivienne sat down without concern for why Leopold could not come in and got straight to the point, “Griffin, we’re here because we need your help with something.”

As Griffin skillfully poured tea for everyone, she asked, “What’s up?”

Percival pulled out a model of a cutting-edge bomb, explaining, “We need to figure out the workings and structure of this bomb and develop a detector for it. Interested?”

Griffin’s eyes lit up.

weapons enthusiast and expert, she was

the

Vivienne nodded. “Yes.”

and added, “You’re

hands. “Of course I am. This thing, it stole

Vivienne was

out an unfinished paper. “This was my concept three years ago. But then my computer got hacked, and

quickly scanned the paper; indeed, the content matched

you come across this?” Vivienne

let’s get down to business, Vivienne. I agree to work with you on this, but I have

in Vivienne’s eyes. “Is it

not deny it. “That’s right,

smiled slyly.

was taken aback.

finish, Vivienne cut

heard this from outside, he would have

and stated her condition. Then they quickly

was settled, and they left the new bomb prototype with

the whole time, his mind a whirl

him today. And what was with her sudden vendetta

marry her

disagreed, why take it out

he saw Vivienne, Percival, and

immediately turned to Vivienne.

him and simply

was not that simple, “Did she make some outrageous demand? Did she give you guys a hard time?” Leopold pressed his lips, bracing himself, “Does she want me to…make an offer of marriage? Vivienne, you didn’t agree,

speak, Leopold rushed on. “I really didn’t do anything to her. I kissed her once when I was young and foolish, and it was just on the cheek. I didn’t even know what getting married meant. Besides, the old man would never agree. Vivienne, I do want to figure out that

off his

Percival looked at him

eyes were full

turned to

a long, measured look before slowly saying, “Griffin did

knew it. She wants to marry me, right? Impossible!” Leopold stated

temples. “Griffin’s condition is that you must be utterly out of sight during the research. You can’t even deliver documents. To put it bluntly, you need to

bit off his tongue in shock.

Vanish from sight?