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?

assuring him they could handle Leopold and

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

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

Leopold's face brightened, "See, I told you Griffin wouldn't really

from the butler, the Sterling family patriarch's face

the old man had already gone to the backyard; seeing the package might have darkened the day for the Sterling

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

the package on the table, picking up a riding crop, "As long as

"Ah!"

glanced at the package then

narrowed upon seeing

playing for keeps this time? An invitation

Leopold, who 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 this moment to send it, she's clearly made up

are

out. They've

"What invitation?"

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

red lettering hurt

invitation? To whose

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

less than two

his fists,

called after him,

need to confront the Martinez family for

were you

family is no ordinary family; if the invitation reached us, it means they're ready for everything. Going there now would only embarrass yourself

so many years. If she truly chose someone else, you have

hesitated outside the Martinez estate. It seemed Griffin

claiming she would marry him or coolly chasing

someone else at this

for a few seconds,