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

fearing he'd drop dead from anger at his

family sent a package over,"

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

he took the package from the butler,

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

swallowed hard and stepped back, "Dad, we can

on the table, picking up a riding crop, "As long as it eases my

"Ah!"

the package then handed it

upon seeing

keeps this time? An invitation was

idiot. With Griffin's move, it's either win big or lose everything." "Choosing this moment to send it, she's clearly made up her mind,"

panicked, "Vivienne, Percival, where are you

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

"What invitation?"

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

gold-embossed red lettering hurt his

To whose

open it fully, tossing it aside and turning away, his eyes reddening, "I don't believe it. How could Griffin just call it quits with me, how

been less than two

his fists, storming

called after

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

you

it means they're ready for everything. Going there now would only embarrass yourself and potentially ruin

sighed, "Griffin has loved you for so many years. If she truly chose

Martinez estate. It seemed Griffin sensed his

was either fiercely claiming she would marry him or coolly

marry someone

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