The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1070

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?"

Supposedly, it was all about fair competition, but here was Leopold, sneaking around and then boasting about it...

were they supposed to swallow

Silence from Leopold.

was not

card, "Jerry, I swear, I wasn't on

by the collar with a threatening tone, questioned, "Becoming godfather to Vivienne's twins just

Leopold blinked earnestly, nodding.

was

thought

pulled out a white pill, his demeanor icy, "Not coming clean, huh? Good thing I've got a new concoction from the lab.

he was proposing could

wedding on the horizon, any

narrowing, "That's more like it.

didn't do anything. I just asked Vivienne if

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

fool us with that excuse? Do you think Vivienne's easy or we're

too slick. Not honest, huh? Seems

Larry, do

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

red was not an option. Vivienne and their mentor

"I swear on the Sterling family name, I'm telling the truth. Call

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

now. If I've lied about

have the guts after all. If Vivienne agreed, there must be a reason." "Still, why

his mouth shut, chimed

him a collective

But without further argument.

ever-faithful companion, even their