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?

asking Kellan to rest, assuring him they could handle

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

package over," the

family," Leopold's face brightened, "See, I told you Griffin wouldn't really leave me. She

from the butler, the Sterling family

man had already gone to the backyard; seeing the package

his father's grim expression, Leopold swallowed hard and stepped back, "Dad, we can

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

"Ah!"

glanced at the package then handed

narrowed upon seeing its

Griffin playing for keeps this

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, ready

are you going?

at him, "Chill out.

"What invitation?"

the crop but seemed unfazed. He

lettering

invitation? To whose

reddening, "I don't believe it. How could Griffin just call it quits

than two days. What was

clenched his

Douglas called after

to confront

you doing

if the invitation reached us, it means they're ready for everything. Going there now would only embarrass yourself and potentially ruin their

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

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

would

could she marry someone else at this

he just hesitated for