Chapter 1418

Since he had said so, Lily could not punish Galen in Dominic's presence. Pulling back, she gave her son a solemn look.

"Are you sorry?"

The boy, though young, understood right from wrong. Holding his head low, he nervously peered at his mother, pursing his lips silently in response to her question.

"We must all feel sorry for our mistakes. As a boy, don't you even have the courage to admit you've made one?" Lily continued. "Are you sorry?"

"Yes," he whispered, though clearly enough.

Lily feigned deafness. "What did you say? I couldn't hear you."

"I'm sorry," he repeated, his voice louder this time. Pouting, he looked pitiful, shimmery tears welling in his large eyes.

This softened Dominic, who waved a dismissive hand. "Okay, okay, you've said it enough. What does a little child know?"

"The fact that he's young makes it all the more important to teach him right from wrong! Didn't I tell you many times before not to touch things in Grandpa's house and not to climb around like a daredevil?" she retorted angrily. "You're always so naughty, and you've even smashed Grandpa's things this time. What do you think we should do?"

The boy, too young to know, stared at his mother, pouted, then burst into tears.

"It's useless to cry! Can crying solve the problem?" She knelt, looking into his eyes. "If you did something wrong, you must be punished! Since you broke the teapots, we'll compensate Grandpa with two new ones, okay?"

"Okay..." he sobbed, understanding the gravity of his actions.

"Then what should you do since you have no money?" she pressed.

Again stumped, he struggled for a solution, his sobs turning into sniffles.

"There's no need to do anything!" Dominic interjected hastily. The teapots were his favorites, but insignificant compared to the boy. Seeing the child's distress, he felt a pang of sympathy. He was accustomed to solitude and a carefree life, but age had brought a growing loneliness. He had a large estate and many servants, yet lacked genuine companionship.

He'd initially tutored Lily out of respect for a deceased friend, but her talent surpassed his expectations, exceeding all his previous apprentices. He'd grown fond of her, treating her like a granddaughter. Though they often bickered, and she didn't always show him the deference expected of an apprentice, he cherished their friendship.

Since Lily's marriage and the birth of her mischievous, yet adorable, son, he'd grown attached to Galen as if he were his own flesh and blood. He'd often told Lily not to bring the boy over, yet secretly longed for his visits. The child was like a grandson, perhaps even dearer.

Ignoring Dominic, Lily looked earnestly into her son's eyes. "How about this? Since you have no money, Mom and Dad will compensate Grandpa on your behalf. You're not allowed to buy new toys for a whole year; your allowance will be deducted as compensation. What do you think?"

"No, no, it's not necessary..." Dominic muttered, feeling a pang of guilt. "How can this little wench think of deducting her son's allowance to compensate me???"