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?

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

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

the Martinez family sent a package over," the butler announced, entering with

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

the butler, the Sterling family patriarch's

gone to the backyard; seeing the

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

on the table, picking up a riding crop,

"Ah!"

glanced at the package then handed it to

eyes narrowed upon seeing

for keeps this

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

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

"What invitation?"

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

lettering hurt his

invitation? To whose

away, his eyes reddening, "I don't believe it. How could Griffin just call it quits with me, how could

than two days. What was

clenched his fists,

after him, his voice

need to

you doing

family; if the invitation reached us, it means they're ready for everything. Going

she truly chose someone else, you have

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

would marry him or coolly chasing after

marry someone else at

for a few