Chapter 1479

Quincy nodded. "Well, that's the best we can do for now."

Meanwhile, Dominic was upset after hanging up the phone, regretting the call. A short while later, Lily and Galen returned, hand in hand. Seeing the old man's furious expression, as she expected, Lily laughingly asked, "You still couldn't reach him?"

"What kind of parents are they? Their son hasn't returned home for days, and they aren't worried! They're heartless, like Austin's grandfather!" Dominic thundered, his anger extending to his brother.

"Austin hasn't gone home for days?" Lily grasped the crucial point, sensing something was amiss.

"Yes."

Dominic's mood improved upon seeing Galen. Grinning, he crouched down and hugged his son lovingly. "Aren't Austin's parents worried he hasn't returned for a few days?"

"Not in the slightest!"

Dominic pouted. "They say it happens all the time and to mind our own business; Austin's a grown man. Why should I worry when his parents don't care? I say to hell with him! They said there's nothing to worry about; he's experimenting at the lab."

However, Lily was puzzled. Laboratory work could be hectic; one might not even have time to answer a call while focused. Still, there was always time to check the phone during breaks or while waiting for results. "It's highly unusual for someone to switch off their phone, be absent from home, and not contact anyone for days!" She said thoughtfully, "Try calling Austin's phone again."

"No!" Dominic, enjoying playing with Galen, said reluctantly, "Why don't you call him yourself if you want to try?"

"I don't have his number!" Lily stated flatly.

"How about you use my phone?"

She genuinely lacked Austin's number. Given their strained relationship, it was pointless for Lily to keep his contact information.

Dominic grumbled and handed her his phone. Lily found the number and called. As expected, an automated voice announced the phone was off.

"That's weird!" She shook her head. "So he switched it off when you called last time?"

Perplexed, Dominic considered this. "Yes! He hung up on me, then switched off his phone when I called again."

"That doesn't make sense. If Austin could turn off his phone, he was using it. Why wouldn't he say anything and simply switch it off? I think he's in danger." Lily, initially uncertain, felt certain after hearing Dominic's account.

"No way!" Dominic said, though suspicion laced his voice. He, too, felt something was wrong. Now that I think about it, the call was abruptly disconnected. Did something happen to the little… but what? He's been doing well, associating with influential people using my name, spending his days at the lab lately. What could happen to him?

Almost simultaneously, they exchanged a look and said, "The lab!"