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

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

package over," the butler announced, entering with a

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

he took the package from the butler, the Sterling family patriarch's

old man had already gone to the backyard; seeing the package might have darkened the

swallowed hard and stepped back, "Dad, we

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

"Ah!"

at the package then handed it

upon seeing its

for keeps this time? An

move, it's either win big or lose everything." "Choosing this moment to send it,

Percival, where are

scoffed at him, "Chill out.

"What invitation?"

of the crop but seemed unfazed. He followed Vivienne, dumping the package's contents on the

gold-embossed red lettering

To

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

than two days. What was she

his

called after him, his voice

I need to confront the Martinez family for

you

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

years. If she truly chose someone

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

Griffin was either fiercely claiming she would

someone

he just hesitated for a few seconds, thinking