The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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?

Percival stepped in, asking Kellan to rest, assuring him they could handle Leopold and make him understand.

to fetch his blood pressure medication, fearing

family sent a package over,"

"See, I told you Griffin wouldn't really leave

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

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

hard and stepped back, "Dad,

a riding crop, "As long as it eases

"Ah!"

glanced at the package then handed it

narrowed upon seeing

Griffin playing for keeps this

looked down at Leopold, who was taking the punishment, his brows furrowed, "He's not an 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," Vivienne said, setting down

panicked, "Vivienne, Percival, where are you

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

"What invitation?"

of the crop but seemed unfazed. He followed Vivienne, dumping the

gold-embossed red lettering hurt his

invitation? To whose

even

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

been less than two

clenched his fists, storming

back!" Douglas called after him, his

need to confront the

you

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

many years. If she truly chose someone else,

seemed Griffin sensed

claiming she would marry him

marry someone else at this

hadn't disagreed; he just hesitated for a

and Percival exchanged

the first to break

Uncle's right,