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.

enthusiast and

elusive new bomb making the

Vivienne nodded. “Yes.”

glanced at Griffin and added,

in her hands. “Of course I

idea?” Vivienne

my concept three years ago. But then my computer got hacked,

content matched certain features

you come across

Vivienne. I agree to work with you on this, but I have one condition, a non-negotiable. Agree to it, and I’ll research this for you

Vivienne’s eyes.

deny

slyly. “I

was taken aback.

cut

have said, “Vivienne, did you just sell me out like

condition. Then they quickly moved on to discuss their

the partnership was settled, and they left the

in the car the whole time, his mind a

him today.

he would marry her

if the old man disagreed, why take

in thought, he saw Vivienne, Percival, and

turned to Vivienne. “Did she

at him

“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

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 bomb, but I can’t agree

rattled off

looked at him as if he

eyes were full of

confusion, Leopold turned to

long, measured look before slowly saying, “Griffin did make a condition, and indeed, it

it. She wants to marry me,

that you must be utterly out of sight during the research. You can’t even deliver documents. To put it bluntly, you need

his tongue in

Vanish from sight?