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

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

a package over," the butler announced, entering with

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

the butler, the Sterling family

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

swallowed hard and stepped back,

table, picking up a riding

"Ah!"

the package

eyes narrowed upon seeing its

for keeps this time? An invitation

big or lose everything." "Choosing this moment to send it, she's clearly made up her mind," Vivienne said, setting down the

are you

at him, "Chill out. They've sent

"What invitation?"

feeling the sting of the crop but seemed unfazed.

gold-embossed red lettering hurt

To

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

had been less than two

his fists, storming

Douglas called after

need to confront the Martinez

you doing

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

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

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

fiercely claiming she would marry him or coolly chasing after him on her

marry someone else at this

hesitated for a