Chapter 1676

His phone had been confiscated during his confinement, leaving him unable to communicate with the outside world. Austin decided to seek help from Dominic downstairs. However, he found the door locked from the outside. He tried yanking and twisting the handle, but the door remained stubbornly shut. Dominic had locked him in.

"But why?" he wondered aloud. "Didn't he say there was no virus in me? Why did he lock me up if there's no virus?" He banged on the door and shouted, "Uncle Dom! Uncle Dom!" His pleas went unanswered, his throat raw from shouting. Either no one was upstairs, or Dominic was deliberately ignoring him.

Desperate, Austin turned to the window. A security grille prevented him from sticking his head out, but he could observe the yard below. It was deserted. Usually, several servants tended the garden; today, there were none.

He called out again, "Uncle Dom? Uncle Dom," but saw no one. "How weird!" he muttered. He struggled to lean out, vainly attempting to pry open the grille with his bare hands. He began to shout again, "Uncle Dom! Uncle—"

He stopped mid-sentence as someone appeared downstairs. At first, he was uncertain; the figure was small and moved with a hobble. The person walked to the center of the yard and looked up. "Yes?"

Austin was stunned. The voice was childish, seemingly answering his call. Recognizing Lily's son, he cleared his throat and thundered, "You little brat! Where's my uncle—" He paused, realizing the boy might not understand. "Where's Grandpa?"

"Yes?" the boy replied.

Austin was speechless. "Go and get Grandpa. I'm looking for him!" he roared, waving. "Be a good boy. I'll give you candy later, okay?" The boy lowered his head, seemingly considering this, then looked up. "Liar!"

Austin was flabbergasted. "I'm not a liar! I'll give you candy." He wondered why the boy thought he was lying. Can't I afford a couple of candies? The boy truly makes no sense, like his mother.

"Human trafficker!" Galen pointed at him, emphasizing each syllable.