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 was Leopold, sneaking

they supposed

Silence from Leopold.

no matter what, this pit was not one he could talk his way

I swear, I wasn't on purpose. It just... came

by the collar with a threatening tone, questioned,

Leopold blinked earnestly, nodding.

was

thought Vivienne

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

ruthless, whatever he was

his wedding on the horizon, any

paused, eyes narrowing, "That's more

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

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

you can fool us with

slick. Not honest, huh? Seems we weren't

do your

in, one holding Leopold still, the other ready with a handful of peanuts, about to

moments away, showing up swollen and red was not an option. Vivienne and their mentor would have his

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

full well Leopold's fear of his family's wrath, they considered his words might actually

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

If Vivienne agreed, there must be a reason." "Still, why him? What do we

to keep his mouth shut, chimed in,

earned him