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?

to rest, assuring him they

pressure medication, fearing he'd drop dead from

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

brightened, "See, I told you Griffin wouldn't really leave me. She was just angry, saying she'd

took the package from the butler, the Sterling

the backyard; seeing the package might

expression, Leopold swallowed hard and stepped back, "Dad, we can talk this out; violence isn't the

on the table, picking up a riding crop,

"Ah!"

package then

upon

for keeps this time?

move, it's either win big or

Percival, where are you going?

out. They've sent an invitation; why

"What invitation?"

the sting of the crop but seemed unfazed. He followed

gold-embossed red lettering hurt

To

have the courage to open it fully, tossing it aside and turning away, his eyes reddening, "I

than two days.

his

called after

emotionless, replied, "Dad, I need to confront the Martinez

you

family; 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

many years. If she truly chose someone else, you have no

It seemed Griffin sensed his hesitation and suddenly let

either fiercely claiming she would marry

could she marry someone

hesitated for a few seconds, thinking