Chapter 1654

"How can you say that, Uncle Dom?!" Elijah couldn't bear to watch any longer. "You're an elder; Austin even calls you his granduncle. We've never disrupted your peace, knowing you dislike us. We've never taken credit for your actions, knowing you don't consider us family. But what did Austin do?"

Dominic glanced at Elijah, sneered, and coldly replied, "How should I say it? Your father said the same thing. I'm merely repeating him. What's wrong with that?" Elijah didn't understand.

Turning to his father, Elijah saw Daniel lower his gaze. After a deep sigh, he slowly raised his head. "Dom, you don't plan on forgiving me, do you?"

"Since we've cut ties, we should keep our distance. There's no point in forgiveness!"

Dominic smiled at Galen's innocent face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. Galen, though unable to understand the adults, sensed the older man's unhappiness. He rubbed Dominic's cheeks, trying to comfort him, noticing Dominic's unusual quietude and daze in recent days. Despite his youth, Galen was perceptive and well-behaved. Dominic gently grasped the child's hands, forcing a stiff smile. "All right! Okay!"

Daniel pushed himself up, nodding. "I was wrong. I was wrong!" He turned and left, Elijah supporting him.

"Dad..." Elijah's wife, Michelle, grew anxious. "Dad, Uncle Dom..." Her eyes darted between her father-in-law and Dominic, torn between following her father and pleading for news of her son. Tears streamed down her face.

At the door, Daniel suddenly turned, dropping his crutches and falling to his knees. "Dom, I'm begging you!"

"Dad!" Elijah was startled, unprepared for his father's action. He knelt beside him. "I was wrong. Punish me as you see fit, but Austin is still a child! He did nothing wrong. We don't know if he's alive or dead. Please, help us. Please, take it as a plea!"

Daniel repeatedly bowed his head to the floor, frightening Elijah, Michelle, and even Dominic. Dominic rose, then sat again. "What are you doing?! Are you trying to guilt-trip me? Daniel Fike, I won't fall for it! Get up!"

But Daniel remained deaf to his pleas, continuing to knock his head against the floor.