Moon Lovers: Bound by Blood and Revenge

[ Zhou Family Villa… ]

Ronan and his family were having breakfast together with Grandpa Roland when he suddenly brought up Marceline's marriage.

"Father, have you talked to Marceline about her marriage to the Silvano Clan? They didn't attend your birthday party last night. Maybe this signifies that the Patriarch of Silvano Clan is no longer interested in the arranged marriage between the Zhou Family and the Silvano Family."

Ronan wanted Grandpa Roland to think that the Silvano Clan was already backing out of the arranged marriage they proposed before. He wanted to set her up with Cedric, hoping that Grandpa Roland would approve of it.

Grandpa Roland was oblivious of the fact Dominique Silvano hadn't heard about this arranged marriage proposal between the two families. The Zhou patriarch already crafted a strategic plan that he would present to Raizel for them to use if the wedding was to happen.

On the other hand, Ronan thought Marceline would never come back. Cedric already planned to take Marceline as his woman. He wondered if he had already succeeded last night.

Marceline and Cedric disappeared in the venue. Ronan knew that Cedric used a magic serum which was made by witches.

'I hope Cedric will be able to control Marceline so that she will no longer be a hindrance to my goal. The Zhou Empire will be mine.'

"My cousin doesn't want to marry someone whom she hasn't met yet. I bet she doesn't mind even if the Silvano Family will take back their proposal," Enrique suddenly butted in. He opposed this marriage as well.

"Let her choose the man she wants to marry," he added.

Natasha raised her eyebrow, sneering at her brother. "With her cold and scary attitude, no one will dare to marry someone like her. She should be glad that someone from an influential and powerful family is proposing marriage to her."

Enrique crumpled his face as he was displeased by his sister's remarks about Marceline.

"She even disappeared last night without saying goodbye to Grandpa. She and her bodyguard seem suspicious to me. They look very close and intimate towards each other. She even rejected Cedric Morgan's dance invitation and chose her bodyguard for her second dance."

Natasha was ridiculing Marceline's actions. But deep inside, she was glad that Marceline rejected Cedric. She was able to dance with him for a long time.

"Natasha, stop talking bad about your cousin. It's improper." Evelyn slightly scolded her daughter as if she was defending Marceline, instead of taking her daughter's side.

Enrique had a satisfied smile when his mother shut his sister up. Natasha glared at him, feeling annoyed.

Enrique and Natasha always fought when Marceline was involved. She hated it whenever her brother would take Marceline's side over her.

Cough! Cough!

When Grandpa Roland cleared his throat, everyone fell silent, moving their eyes to him.

"Marceline's marriage… I will discuss this with her so you don't have to bring this up during our meal. If the Silvano Clan doesn't want to continue this marriage then so be it. We are not that eager to be part of their family."

'We can still find another way to strike them at the time they don't expect the most.' He added to his thoughts.

"Dad, when are you going to retire? You need to stay at home. Your health is not getting better. You skipped your monthly check-up once again. You didn't come to your doctor's appointment. Just leave the company matters to us and focus on treating your illness." Ronan changed the topic, bringing up Grandpa Roland's retirement as Chairman of the Zhou Empire.

He believed that his father would pass the position to him once he retired. Marceline was not yet ready to take the Chairman's position.

'I will ask Cedric's help to convince Marceline to give up her position as CEO, letting Enrique take over.' Ronan's eyes gleamed with an evil intent. He hoped that their plan worked smoothly last night.

'I will contact him later and ask for an update…' He made a mental note.

Meanwhile, Grandpa Roland frowned when his illness was mentioned.

"There is nothing wrong with my health. I'm not sick. Don't ever mention this, especially in front of Marceline." Grandpa Roland looked displeased. He put his spoon and fork down as he already lost his appetite.

He stood up abruptly, making Ronan regret mentioning his father's illness. Grandpa Roland didn't inform Marceline about his heart complication because he didn't want her to worry about him.

He always thought of Marceline first. He felt guilty for not being able to protect them eighteen years ago. He blamed himself for the death of Marceline's parents so he didn't mind whether he would suffer from his illness. He was punishing his own self through this.

Before Grandpa Roland left the dining area, he stopped for a moment, giving Ronan a meaningful response.

"I will only retire once Marceline will marry a good man who will take care of her and protect her with his life."

After saying those words, Grandpa Roland walked away without looking back. Ronan and Natasha had dark expressions on their faces. It was always Marceline! He only cared and thought about her as if she was his only family.

Evelyn just looked at her husband. She somehow knew what he was thinking right now. This bitterness and jealousy in his heart was the great factor she could influence him, making him obey and fulfill everything she wanted.

Whereas, Enrique could only take a deep sigh. He was dying to tell Marceline about their grandfather's health condition but Grandpa Roland warned him not to tell a single word to her otherwise, he would suffer from his wrath.

No one among the family members would dare offend or go against Grandpa Roland. He could only obey and follow his order.

Marceline, who chose to live by herself, isolating herself from her family, was still clueless that her beloved grandfather was sick. She would surely become upset once she learned the truth.

*****

A few minutes after everyone finished eating their breakfast, Evelyn stayed in the kitchen, making tea for Grandpa Roland.

She looked around, checking if there were other people around. When she made sure that she's all alone, she picked something inside her pocket. It was a small bottle containing white powder.

She poured one tablespoon of white powder into Grandpa Roland's tea. She mixed it well before calling a maid to deliver the tea to Grandpa Roland.