Chapter 1477: "He Wouldn't Dare!"

Dominic blurted the words out, but the look he gave Lily shifted as he sensed something amiss. Initially, he'd been furious at Austin's disrespectful silence and switched-off phone. Now, considering Lily's perspective, he felt a deeper unease.

"Then..." he frowned. "Why?"

"Have you called his parents and asked why he's turned off his phone for two days?" Lily inquired.

Dominic vehemently shook his head. "No, no, no! I'd never ask them! I haven't visited them in years. Besides, why should I? What's it to me? It's probably off so he can't bother me!"

"What if he's had an accident? Or something happened to him? You might dismiss it, but how could you live with yourself if something was wrong?"

She wasn't overly worried, but recent events had been unsettling. Moreover, someone had just been hunting her down. There was an uncanny connection between seemingly unrelated incidents.

"Well..." Dominic hesitated, affecting a tough demeanor. "Why can't I? What's it to me? I haven't done anything to him."

"If you truly can't, then suit yourself. I hope you mean it!" Lily nodded, then took Galen. "Galen, let's go find you a room."

"Hey, I..." Dominic called after them, but they ignored him, excitedly discussing room preferences.

'What the hell? Having just survived an attack, they're awfully composed,' he mused, realizing Lily had deliberately left him alone to make the call. He resisted, however, Lily's words echoing in his ears: 'What if something is wrong? Based on what I know about Austin... that asshole doesn't usually turn off his phone. Although I rarely called, he always answered promptly. His behavior is fishy.'

Finally, he relented and called Austin's parents. Austin's father answered, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Uncle, is it you? What can I do for you?"

Dominic, less awkward now, cleared his throat. "Is that brat home? Get him on the phone!"

"Austin?" The father sounded puzzled. "No. He hasn't been home for a few days. Why? Do you need to speak with him? You should try his cell."

"Of course, I should try his cell! But it's off!" Dominic snapped.