Chapter 1460

Rhea leaned back in her laboratory chair. Just as her eyes fluttered shut, she heard a phone vibrate. Her phone was usually on silent. Reaching for it, she found no incoming call, yet the vibration persisted. She located the phone in a discarded coat pocket; it was Austin's. The screen displayed "Second Granduncle."

Rhea sneered, disdain filling her at Austin's theatricality. Why the elaborate title? After a moment's consideration, she answered. Dominic remained silent, accustomed to Austin's attentive greetings. Unaware of this dynamic, Rhea waited patiently.

A deathly silence stretched over the call. After a minute, the old man's composure fractured. "'What is wrong with this rotten brat?!" he erupted, only to be met with a dial tone. He stared, bewildered. Hung up on? Was Austin seeking death? "All right. So, that's how it is now? If he dares step foot in my house again, I will call him Master Fike! Wait, that's not right. He is technically a Fike, after all."

Dominic, convinced Austin had hung up accidentally, anticipated an immediate apology. No call came. His fury escalated. Meanwhile, Rhea had tossed the phone onto the table, eventually switching it off. What a bore!

Dominic's pride warred with his anger. He dialed again; the call failed. This was the final straw. He'd assumed Austin's previous outburst was a tantrum, expecting a quick reconciliation. This time, it seemed the boy had "eaten a lion's heart!" "All right. Two can play at this game!"

Lily arrived home late. After putting Galen to bed, she reviewed the CCTV footage. Daisy had remained indoors all day, exhibiting no unusual behavior. She'd completed her chores, tidied the playroom, and meticulously cleaned and sanitized the toys. Were it not for the lockpicking incident, she would have been considered an exemplary nanny.