The Million-Dollar Heart

Griffin bit her lip, her worry evident in her wide eyes.

No matter how much you prepare, the thing you fear the most always seems to find a way to happen.

"Vivienne, you don't think the guys will take Leopold out back for a rough-up, do you?" she whispered, sneaking over to ask Vivienne.

The only outcome she could imagine was Leopold getting a piece of their minds, quite literally.

Vivienne offered a reassuring smile, "Don't worry about it. They know better than to actually hurt Leopold."

At most, they'll find some other way to vent.

Meanwhile...

Leopold was cornered in an empty parking lot, surrounded by a group that looked less than pleased to see him. Jerry, cracking his knuckles leisurely, led the charge. "Alright, Leopold, spill it. How are we handling this?" With a heavy heart, Leopold glanced at the intimidating setup and then back at the two brothers pinning him down, swallowing hard.

This was a setup if he'd ever seen one.

Accustomed to playing the weaker card, he immediately went for sympathy, "Guys, come on. Today's the christening party for Vivienne's twins. If I show up looking like I've been mugged, what will people think?" Daniel snorted, cutting him off, "You think Vivienne's always going to take your side?"

As if they were invisible in Vivienne's eyes.

Jerry sighed, looking directly at Leopold, "We've been good to you, haven't we?"

Leopold, knowing full well he'd kicked the hornet's nest this time, could only nod in agreement, afraid to utter another word.

Jerry raised an eyebrow, "And how have you repaid our kindness?"

competition, but here

were they supposed to

Silence from Leopold.

not one he could talk his way

played the sympathy card, "Jerry, I swear, I wasn't on purpose. It just...

collar with a threatening tone, questioned, "Becoming godfather to

Leopold blinked earnestly, nodding.

swore it was a casual

would have thought

thing I've got a new concoction from the lab. You'll

whatever he was proposing could have

wedding on the horizon,

narrowing, "That's more

tears, pleaded, "I swear, I didn't do anything. I just asked Vivienne if I could be the

face darkened, "You're kidding, right? Just asked and she agreed? What, do you

"Thinking you can fool us with that excuse? Do you

"Knew you were too slick. Not honest, huh? Seems we weren't

Larry, do

with a handful of peanuts, about to shove

and red was not an option. Vivienne and their

swear on the Sterling family name, I'm telling the truth. Call Vivienne if you don't believe me..."

fear of his family's wrath, they considered his words might

firm, "Call her now. If I've lied about anything, do whatever you want with

after all. If Vivienne agreed, there

to keep his mouth shut, chimed in, "Guess

earned him a