Chapter 1655

Elijah and Michelle immediately followed suit. Soon, the room echoed with the sound of heads hitting the floor. Galen blinked, curious but observing Dominic's anger, and remained silent.

"Get up, all of you! Get up now!" Dominic roared. His voice was so loud it silenced everyone, who looked up at him. "Daniel Fike! You're something else, aren't you?!" He paced, continuing, "Even at your age, you still pull this trick on me? Do you think I'll agree with you this way?!"

"No," Daniel pleaded. "I'm genuinely begging you! I'm running out of options! We've checked everywhere, and there's still no sign of him. It's been days, and you know Austin. He wouldn't make us worry like this. Something terrible must have happened! Also, that lab… that laboratory has been abandoned. I've had it investigated, but it was wiped clean. Not a single soul remains. There's a basement; the rooms were empty, but it looked lived-in. A professor from the laboratory died a while ago, so it's hard not to assume a connection. Dom, I've never asked anything of you in decades. I know you resent me, but this is different! I'll do whatever it takes to get Austin back, even if it means giving up my life!"

"Why would I want your life?! What good would it do me?!" Dominic replied angrily. He glared at Daniel. "Get up! Get up, and we'll talk!"

"Dom…"

"I didn't say I wasn't going to look for him!" Dominic grumbled. The grumbling, though negative, was a great relief. The family brightened and helped each other up. "Uncle Dom…" Elijah started, but Dominic's angry gaze silenced him.

"The lab situation is odd, but everyone at the research institute has withdrawn. As for Austin, I think he's still in Kingsland," Dominic said thoughtfully.

"He is?!" Elijah's eyes widened.

"B-But we couldn't find anything on him. If there were something, the police would have found it long ago. What underground organization is this?! Why are they so rampant in Kingsland?!" Elijah scowled.

"Who do they think they are? How dare they mess with the Fikes?!" Dominic snorted.

"Who said they're in Kingsland?"

"Are you saying they're international?!" Elijah was shocked. Trembling, he asked, "Did Austin offend an international force? Did he…"

"Sometimes, you don't need to offend someone. If you stand in their way, they'll deal with you. To them, it's like crushing an ant," Dominic said flatly. His casual reference paled the Fike family. Michelle almost fainted. Elijah quickly supported her. "Uncle Dom, what do you mean? Is Austin in danger?"

"Probably not!" Dominic shook his head. "I don't think he's dead. If he were, they wouldn't need to hide the body. It's more convenient to dispose of it." He'd been thinking this for days. If Austin were dead, his body would be disposed of. Since there was no trace of him, dead or alive, it meant he was alive but hidden.