The Million-Dollar Heart

The eyes of the four people pinned Leopold down like he was under an X-ray, seeing right through him.

Feeling guilty, he stuttered, "Um, I..."

"Spit it out, and if you misspeak, I'll break your legs!" Douglas roared, sending shivers down Leopold's already trembling spine.

Stammering, Leopold recounted the events of the day before yesterday in a rushed manner.

Concerned Vivienne might not grasp the whole story, he emphasized, "Vivienne, I swear I didn't say anything. But Griffin, she just stopped in her tracks, didn't even let me in the house, and called off the engagement."

Vivienne listened, baffled but knowing Griffin well, she asked directly, "Do you not want to marry her, or do you not love her?"

Caught off guard by Vivienne's sudden question, Leopold was taken aback, despite the seriousness in her tone.

Faced with the interrogation from the four, he felt an odd sense of déjà vu but compelled by Vivienne's authoritative tone, he managed to say, "I...I like her, Vivienne, you know that..."

"Then why hesitate?" Vivienne cut him off.

"Huh?" Leopold was confused. "Hesitate about what?"

Vivienne was speechless.

Percival thought about smacking Leopold himself, wondering if his head was just for show.

That's why they called him Husky, and it was fitting.

"When Griffin asked you to formally propose at the Martinez estate, why did you hesitate?" Vivienne pressed.

Leopold's face flushed, mumbling, "Isn't it too soon?"

Kellan threw a cup in frustration, "Too soon? That girl from the Martinez family has been head over heels for you for nearly twenty years, and you've been clueless, acting like you don't know. If your eyes don't work, might as well throw them away."

Douglas quickly calmed his father, "Dad, don't get worked up over this fool; it's not worth your health."

Leopold wondered, wasn't he the beloved youngest son of the Sterling family anymore?

asking Kellan to rest, assuring him they could handle Leopold and

Kellan went to fetch his blood pressure medication, fearing he'd drop dead

sent a package over," the butler announced, entering with

family," Leopold's face brightened, "See, I told you Griffin wouldn't really leave me.

he took the package from the butler, the Sterling family patriarch's face

had already gone to the backyard; seeing the package might have

father's grim expression, Leopold swallowed hard and stepped back, "Dad, we can talk this out;

up a riding crop, "As long as it eases my

"Ah!"

package then

upon seeing its

keeps this time? An

who was taking the punishment, his brows furrowed, "He's not an idiot. With Griffin's move, it's either win big or lose

where are

at him, "Chill out.

"What invitation?"

seemed unfazed. He followed Vivienne, dumping the package's contents

lettering hurt his

To

have the courage to open it fully, tossing it aside and turning away, his eyes reddening, "I don't believe it. How could

two days.

clenched his fists,

back!" Douglas called after him, his voice

need to confront the Martinez family

were you doing

ordinary family; if the invitation reached us, it means they're ready for everything. Going there now would only embarrass yourself and

chose someone else, you have

had only hesitated outside the Martinez estate. It seemed Griffin

his mind, Griffin was either fiercely claiming she would marry him or

someone else at this

hadn't disagreed; he just hesitated for a few