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

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

sent a package over," the butler announced,

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

from the butler, the Sterling family

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

stepped back, "Dad, we can talk this out; violence isn't

slammed the package on the table, picking up a

"Ah!"

glanced at the package then

narrowed upon

Griffin playing for keeps this time? An invitation

win big or lose everything." "Choosing this moment to send

panicked, "Vivienne, Percival, where are you going? What

scoffed at him, "Chill out. They've sent an invitation;

"What invitation?"

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

red lettering hurt

invitation? To

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

been less than two days. What was she

his

called after

need to confront the Martinez

you

they're ready for everything. Going there now would only embarrass yourself and potentially ruin their wedding, wouldn't

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

day, he had only hesitated outside the Martinez estate. It seemed Griffin sensed his hesitation and

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

marry someone else at

hadn't disagreed; he just hesitated for a few seconds, thinking