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?

rest, assuring him they could handle Leopold and

fetch his blood pressure medication, fearing he'd drop dead from anger at his foolish

a package over," the butler

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

from the

backyard; seeing the package might have darkened the

Leopold swallowed hard and stepped back, "Dad, we can talk

table, picking up a riding crop, "As long as it

"Ah!"

package then handed

upon seeing

Griffin playing for keeps this time? An

at 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 her mind," Vivienne said, setting

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

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

"What invitation?"

but seemed unfazed.

red lettering hurt his

invitation? To whose

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

two days. What

clenched his

back!" Douglas called after

replied, "Dad, I need to confront

were you

they're ready for everything. Going there now

"Griffin has loved you for so many years. If she truly chose someone else, you have no right to question her." Leopold's emotions were

estate. It seemed Griffin sensed his hesitation and suddenly let

she would marry him or coolly chasing

someone

disagreed; he just hesitated for a few seconds, thinking she would