Chapter 1415

"Nothing. Just...trying to follow the news," Lily said blandly. Disregarded, Austin seized the opportunity to interject, familiar with the situation.

"You're worried about Alexander, aren't you? You don't need to!" he declared. "Since he's my granduncle's secret apprentice, he should be able to handle the pandemic. Even if he can't solve it, he should have no problem protecting himself." Assuming his assertion was acknowledged by their silence, Austin believed Alexander's herbal medicine expertise would easily overcome the pandemic's challenge. He didn't realize Lily, not Alexander, was Dominic's secret apprentice.

Lily rolled her eyes. He thinks he's always right! she thought, ignoring him. Turning to Dominic, she said, "I heard the pandemic is unlike previous ones. There seems to be a new type of virus."

Dominic guessed her worry stemmed from concern for her husband. "I've seen some news, but the situation is unclear. Our country has tightened entry requirements from that nation," he explained. "However, Alex is no ordinary person and unlikely to be exposed. Besides, he's a grown man, not a child. He understands the situation better than we do and knows how to protect himself." He sought to reassure her, while also speaking truthfully.

Austin felt a dull ache of resentment. Grandpa is so unfair! He never says a kind word to me, but he's so good to Lily, even if she's just his secret apprentice's wife! He protested, "Granduncle, the rumors seem incredible. A new virus we've never seen before? With our advanced technology and medicine, what kind of virus haven't we encountered? Even if we haven't, experts could devise a countermeasure. Burnwken's slow response is why the virus is spreading so rapidly. We'd have solved it if it happened here!" He believed the media had exaggerated the threat. I've studied herbal medicine for so long. I refuse to believe any pandemic is this frightening.

Dominic glanced at Austin before saying to Lily, "If you're too worried, ask him to return sooner. There are plenty of business opportunities for Alex, he's still young. He shouldn't risk his life."

"He's not there for money. There was an accident, and he went to help," Lily sighed, unwilling to elaborate on the branch office incident. "Do you have the latest information on the virus? I'd like to see it." She wanted to assess the severity and the possibility of a quick cure. Burnwken's backward medical system and their pandemic response filled her with anxiety, despite its distance.

"You want to look at it? What for?" Feeling dismissed, Austin snorted.

"Why don't you let my granduncle and me—"

"Shut up!" Dominic exploded. "No one will treat you like a fool if you learn to keep quiet!"

Austin was stunned.