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

Silence from Leopold.

not one he could

swear, I wasn't on

threatening tone, questioned, "Becoming godfather to

Leopold blinked earnestly, nodding.

it was a

have thought Vivienne would

icy, "Not coming clean, huh? Good thing I've got a new concoction from the lab. You'll be the first human

whatever he was proposing could

wedding on the horizon, any

narrowing, "That's

anything. I just asked Vivienne if I

asked and she agreed? What, do you have

raised an eyebrow, "Thinking you can fool us with that excuse? Do you think Vivienne's easy or we're

sneered, "Knew you were too slick. Not

do your

of peanuts, about to shove them in his mouth. Leopold,

moments away, showing up swollen and red was not an option.

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

of his family's wrath, they

If I've

they huddled, whispering, "Maybe he didn't have the guts after all. If

his mouth shut, chimed

him a collective

But without further argument.

ever-faithful companion,