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?

Kellan to rest, assuring him they could handle Leopold and make him

fetch his blood pressure medication, fearing he'd drop

package over," the butler announced, entering with

I told you Griffin wouldn't really leave me. She was just angry, saying

the

backyard; seeing the

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

up a riding crop, "As long as it eases

"Ah!"

glanced at the package

narrowed upon

this time? An

down 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 down the invitation,

"Vivienne, Percival, where are

out. They've sent an invitation;

"What invitation?"

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

red lettering hurt his

To whose

open it fully, tossing it aside and turning away, his eyes reddening,

been less than two days.

clenched his

Douglas called after

I need to confront the Martinez

you

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

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

only hesitated outside the Martinez estate. It seemed Griffin sensed his hesitation and suddenly let

Griffin was either fiercely claiming she would marry

could she marry someone else

just hesitated for