Chapter 1410

Dominic carried Galen into the house. Austin followed. Dominic glared at the young man.

"Why did you come…" he began, but his cheeks were suddenly pinched upward, forcing a smile. Frowning, he pursed his lips, motioning for Austin to move aside as he sat with Galen.

He loosened his grip on the child. "What about you go inside and play with your toys?"

Galen vehemently shook his head, leaving Dominic speechless.

"Then you can't keep pulling my beard out! You've already pulled out so many; there won't be any left!" Dominic coaxed patiently. "Plus, Mommy will spank you if she finds out!"

Hesitation flickered in Galen's eyes at the mention of a spanking. Finally, he released Dominic's beard and returned to his play area.

"Phew…" Dominic exhaled, as if relieved from a battle. He picked up his teacup, blew on it habitually, only to discover it was cold. He poured it out and began boiling water for a fresh pot.

"Granduncle, let me do it!" Austin offered, eager to help.

Dominic, perhaps exhausted, lacked the energy to refuse. He relinquished the kettle, and Austin efficiently washed the pot, boiled water, and brewed a new pot of tea, seemingly enjoying the task.

While working, Austin occasionally glanced at Galen. The child seemed familiar. He knew few children and, due to his personality, had limited close relationships. He didn't even have a girlfriend, let alone children. Children were a burden, best avoided. So, he must have seen the boy somewhere, or perhaps all children looked alike? Lost in thought, he was suddenly jolted by Dominic's roar, "What in the world are you doing?"

He'd overfilled the teacup, his distraction evident.

"Granduncle, I'm sorry! I got distracted!" Austin apologized, grabbing a tablecloth to clean up the spill.

Dominic snatched the teapot. "Move aside! You can't do anything right! You're so clumsy! Distracted? What can you do right?"

Austin felt aggrieved. It was a minor incident; Dominic's overreaction was unwarranted. He saw Galen watching him, a small, knowing grin revealing two tiny teeth. Austin felt mocked, the smile unnervingly familiar. A face flashed in his mind.

He remembered seeing this child before—at Lily's house, during a visit with Maria. He hadn't paid much attention then; there was bad blood between him and Lily, and he was primarily focused on Anastasia's illness. A child was present, but Austin only glanced at him. Looking back, this boy resembled the child he'd seen that day.