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

his blood pressure medication, fearing he'd drop

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

wouldn't really leave me. She was just angry,

from the

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

Leopold swallowed hard and stepped back, "Dad, we can talk this out; violence

table, picking up a riding crop, "As

"Ah!"

glanced at the package

narrowed upon

Griffin playing for keeps this time? An invitation

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

where are you going? What

him, "Chill out. They've

"What invitation?"

sting of the crop but seemed unfazed. He followed Vivienne, dumping the package's contents on the

red lettering hurt his

invitation? To whose

his eyes reddening, "I don't believe it. How could Griffin just

than two

his fists,

after

to confront the Martinez family for

were you

if the invitation reached us, it means they're ready for everything. Going there now would only embarrass yourself and potentially ruin their wedding, wouldn't it?" Leopold stopped in his

sighed, "Griffin has loved you for so many years. If she truly chose someone else, you have no right to question

outside the Martinez estate. It seemed Griffin sensed his hesitation and suddenly

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

marry someone else at

hesitated for