Chapter 138 - A Broken Family

The Zhou Villa was now in a chaotic state after the Patriarch collapsed. Kira and Marceline were the ones who brought Grandpa Roland to the hospital.

Ronan remained standing in his study room, still processing what transpired a while ago. Evelyn approached him, gently tapping his back.

"What happened here?" Evelyn asked, following Ronan's gaze. Her eyes widened at the sight of the Ametiz Protection Stones of Marceline's parents.

'Why are these things here? As far as I could remember, we already destroyed them and threw them away into the ocean.' Evelyn pondered to herself.

"I don't know. I think Marceline set me up. These stones are found in my vault. My Dad saw these stones. He collapsed, thinking I colluded with the werewolves in killing my elder brother and my sister-in-law."

Evelyn was dumbfounded after hearing this.

"What?! Did Marceline plan this ahead? But she seldom visits the villa so there's no way she will know about your vault's location and passcode. This is the first time she sets foot in here."

"What bothers me more is that Marceline is already aware of the existence of other creatures."

A gleam flashed in Evelyn's eyes as she somehow connected some dots. "She discovered the truth about the existence of werewolves. So this is the reason why she is confident that what she saw eighteen years ago was not just ordinary wolves, but werewolves!" 

Ronan was about to respond when a loud bang was heard. It was the sound of the door when Enrique pushed it hard, abruptly entering the room.

"Dad, Mom! What happened? The maid told me that Marceline and her husband left together with grandpa," Enrique asked them.

Seconds later, Natasha also joined them with a puzzled look in her eyes. "Dad! Is grandpa sick?" 

Ronan's expression darkened. He didn't know what to feel after seeing his father collapse. He knew that his father already considered him a perpetrator who caused the death of his own brother.

He didn't want his father to get sick but he was afraid that he would disown him once he got better. Ronan had seen Grandpa Roland's expression a while ago. It was a mixture of disbelief, disappointment, and rage.

"I think your grandpa had a heart attack. Let's go to the hospital," Ronan simply responded, marching out of the room without waiting for them.

Enrique and Natasha were shaken when they heard that. Their grandfather was very lively and cheerful a while ago because Marceline visited them and chose to sleep over here tonight. Who would have thought that this unfortunate incident would happen?

"Marceline is truly a jinx in the family!" Natasha mumbled as she followed her father. 

Enrique narrowed his eyes on his sister. He didn't like the way she spoke badly about Marceline. He wanted to scold her but Evelyn stopped him. 

"Let's go. Don't argue with your sister anymore."

Enrique could only sigh helplessly, obeying his mother's request. Then they came out of the room to follow everyone.

Among the members of the Zhou Family, only Evelyn appeared to be calm. She was not surprised when Grandpa Roland collapsed as she already knew his limits. The old man's body was already weakened.

'We are running out of time. The old man must change his last will and testament before dying. I need to move, helping my husband to get what he wants.'

With this thought in mind, Evelyn went to the hospital together with Enrique and Natasha. Ronan didn't wait for them as he sped off after leaving the villa. He used a separate car.

His mind was in shambles. He didn't wish Marceline to know the truth, but everything was revealed to her. He didn't want his father to get sick but this situation was like a blessing to him. He still had time to plan what he should do next before Grandpa Roland disowned him and chased him out of the Zhou family.

Meanwhile, Marceline and Kira have already arrived in the hospital. Entering the emergency room, the doctor and nurses immediately checked Grandpa Roland's vitals. His heartbeat returned but his pulse was weak. His heart stopped beating a while ago as it was a cardiac arrest, fortunately Marceline continued giving him CPR until they reached the hospital.

Marceline's body began to tremble as she watched her grandfather being treated by the doctor and nurses. Kira never left her. He just stayed by her side, giving her support.

He could see the fear in her emerald eyes. She was afraid to lose another family member. For her, her grandfather was the only family member left who loved her wholeheartedly. She couldn't afford to lose him too.

"Ki…" Marceline felt like every ounce of her energy was drained. Kira had to hold her in place for her not to fall. She leaned her back on his chest, allowing Kira to hug her from behind.

"Put your heart at ease, my Lady. Your grandfather can make it. He is a strong man. He cares for you so he will not leave you in times like this." Kira's comforting words were enough for her to find her strength. She was grateful that Kira was there for her.

"Let's wait outside. The doctor will do her best to save your grandfather. Trust them… and have faith in your grandpa's love for you."

Marceline nodded her head, letting Kira pull her to the benches outside the emergency room. The two sat down, facing each other.

"Ki… do you think it's my fault? If I had known that grandpa would be hurt like this and fell ill, I shouldn't have revealed the truth to him. I feel so guilty." Marceline's voice was filled with pain and sadness.

Kira took a deep breath, lifting her chin to meet her eyes. Staring at her intently, Kira said to her, "Don't blame yourself. This is not your fault. It's not your fault that you have a greedy and cunning Uncle." Kira paused for a moment, caressing her face.

"Besides, your grandpa also has the right to know the truth. Though he knew that werewolves were the ones who attacked you and your parents in the forest, he had no idea that your Uncle was also involved in the whole plot."

Kira continued consoling her. He hated to see her feeling so down and gloomy. As much as he wanted, Kira didn't like to see her sad. Marceline had gone through a lot ever since she was a child. She deserved to be happy!

But the family whom she should rely on were also the people who were giving her troubles and burdens.

"I… I will punish them… I swear," Marceline swore through her gritted teeth. But it was not the right time to think about this thing. Her priority right now was Grandpa Roland's recovery.

She always thought her grandfather was a healthy old man. She never heard of a thing about her grandfather falling ill. So she was truly surprised and shaken when her grandfather suddenly collapsed in front of them.

She was puzzled by Ronan's last remarks. He told her that Grandpa Roland always had a weak heart. What did he mean by saying that?

Seeing the troubles in her eyes, Kira pulled her closer to him, engulfing her body with his strong arms as he hugged her tight.

"Don't think negatively, okay? I'm just here for you, my Lady. I will not let you suffer."

This time Marceline finally calmed her emotions. She smiled faintly as she sunk further into his body, hugging him back.

The two were still hugging each other when Ronan, Evelyn, Enrique, and Natasha arrived at the hospital. Natasha looked daggers at Marceline.

Not able to contain her anger and hatred towards Marceline, Natasha charged in their direction. Upon reaching their spot, she pulled Marceline up, separating her from Kira.

"You bitch! This is all your fault!" Natasha yelled at her, raising her hand to slap Marceline's face. However, before her palm landed on Marceline's cheek, Kira grabbed Natasha's hand, stopping her mid-air.

"Don't you dare touch her or else, I will not hesitate to break your arms even though you are a woman," Kira warned Natasha, giving her a cold sharp glare that could make her shiver in fear. Kira was frightening. He hated to see someone hurting Marceline.

"Ouch! Let go! You are hurting my hand!" Natasha tried to pull her hand out of Kira's grasp but his grip was so tight.

Ronan sprinted towards them when he saw the hurt expression on Natasha's face. "Release my daughter!" He ordered Kira. 

Ronan threw a punch, aiming at Kira's face. But Kira just slightly bent his head on the other side, dodging Ronan's sudden attack. As a counter, Kira used his free hand to push Ronan.

*Thud!*

Ronan's face hit the wall, causing his forehead and nose to bleed instantly.

"Oh my gosh! Dad!!! " Natasha shouted in fear when Ronan fell to the ground after hitting the wall. Kira failed to control his physical strength, exerting great force against Ronan.

If Ronan was not wearing his bracelet which contained his Ametiz Protection Stone, he would have received a much more severe injury from Kira. Fortunately, Ametiz Stone protected him somehow.

"FUCK! I'll kill you!" Ronan shouted at Kira, holding his bleeding nose.

"How dare you do that to my Dad?!!" Natasha kicked Kira's legs but he remained unfazed.

Evelyn and Enrique also ran in their direction, helping Ronan to stand up.

Marceline and Kira just glanced at them with a ridiculing look in their eyes.

"Sweety, let's leave. Don't waste your time dealing with them." Marceline mumbled, pulling Kira away from the four of them.

Enrique was hurt seeing the hatred in Marceline's eyes. He didn't know what happened that made her hate even him. 

'Why do I feel like the Zhou Family is a broken family? She keeps hating us.... distancing herself from us. Why? Why does she hate my family so much?'