Chapter 1267

Austin looked helpless. "I truly didn't tell them that. There's nothing I can do if they misunderstand! I can't constantly correct people, can I?"

Dominic snorted. "Enough with the excuses!"

Austin was making excuses, but he wasn't entirely wrong. Others did perceive him as Dominic's last student. He might have inadvertently misled them, but he'd never explicitly claimed it. Therefore, he hadn't exactly been flaunting Dominic's name.

"You're just like your grandfather—incapable yet filled with fanciful ideas!" Dominic rebuked him, then fell silent. After all, Lily hadn't accused the young man of anything truly egregious.

Austin barely registered Dominic's reprimand; he was used to them. He leaned in with a smile, licking his lips. "Since everyone thinks I'm your last student, why not make it official? Considering our kinship and your past instruction, you might as well take me on. This way, you needn't worry about me damaging your reputation; I could even elevate it! Besides, none of your other students have accomplished anything noteworthy. Except for those who've traveled the world, your last student has remained unseen and unheard of. Such a waste of your talents! But if you take me as your—"

"In your dreams!" Dominic cut him off impatiently, waving a dismissive hand. "Don't even think about it!"

He scowled and snorted. "With your limited abilities, you're not even fit to serve my students! Don't pretend I haven't seen through you. Is this about saving lives? About humanity? Spare me!"

"You're just after the wealth and influence of the powerful, aren't you? You don't care about advancing herbal medicine. It's all about family glory!" Dominic's accurate assessment brought a blush to Austin's cheeks. However, he quickly justified his intentions.

"What's wrong with that? We invest our time, energy, and resources into herbal medicine; it's natural to profit. And while I am aiming for family glory, don't forget you're family too. We're talking about our family, and I'm your sibling's grandson!"

Dominic chuckled coldly, his face hardening. "Don't call me that. I have no children and don't deserve the title."

"Fine, I'm tired. Go home and tend to your grandfather. Someone show him the door." He spun on his heel and strode upstairs, clearly finished with the conversation.

Though reluctant to give up, Austin knew Dominic's temperament. Any further argument risked permanent exclusion.

He could only glare resentfully. Then rest well. I'll visit again.

Hearing no reply as Dominic disappeared, Austin breathed a sigh of relief. At least he hasn't banned me yet.

Leaving the manor, he noticed the red sports car at the gate was gone.

"Tsk! What kind of man drives a car like that? It's awfully…feminine, no matter how you look at it!"