Chapter 1668

"Take off your shirt!" Dominic commanded.

Austin obeyed without question. Dominic examined him thoroughly, then stepped back to assess him.

"Take off your pants, too!"

Austin was stunned. "Uncle Dom?"

"Stop dawdling! You want me to do it for you?" Dominic's tone was threatening.

Resigned, Austin complied. Even in his underwear, being so exposed before the old man was deeply embarrassing.

Crouching, Dominic inspected his calves, then flicked his finger against the back of his knee. He rose slowly, stepped back, and rubbed his beard, his eyes narrowed. He seemed lost in thought, or perhaps still observing Austin.

"Grandpa..." A small voice broke the silence.

Austin knew his granduncle was trying to diagnose him, but the undressed state was mortifying. He wondered if the examination was over and if he might at least be allowed to dress again. "Grandpa..." The soft voice sounded again. It was so soft and familiar, Austin almost believed he was hallucinating.

"Granduncle?" Austin spoke, confirming his voice was normal, not the strange, childish echo he'd imagined.

"Grandpa..." The voice persisted. This time, Austin realized it wasn't his own. He turned to see a small boy at the doorway, peering in curiously. The child's eyes widened at the sight of Austin.

"Woah..."

Catching his reflection, Austin saw he was nearly naked. He quickly pulled up his pants, blushing furiously. Even though it was just a child, the embarrassment was intense; Austin valued his self-respect.

"Munchkin, why are you here? Didn't I tell you to play by yourself?" Dominic jogged over to hug Galen. But just as he reached the boy, he hesitated, snapping his hands back and pointing at Galen. "Stay where you are and don't move!"

Startled, Galen obeyed as Dominic grabbed a packet of alcohol wipes and meticulously sanitized his fingers. After spraying himself with sanitizer, he carefully lifted the little boy.

"Didn't I tell you not to wander around?" Austin was dumbfounded. Dominic's abrupt shift in demeanor was striking, but his extreme caution felt excessive. He was treating Austin as some kind of contagion. Standing there, speechless, Austin felt a profound sense of injustice.

"You're butt naked!" Galen pointed at Austin, giggling.

Austin was speechless, mortified by the toddler's teasing. Trying to maintain a semblance of composure, he retorted, "Nonsense! I have my underwear on!"

"What are you shouting about? Are you proud to be wearing underwear? Don't you always wear underwear?" Dominic's sharp voice cut through the air.

Austin was completely taken aback. "Uncle Dominic, I..." He pouted, feeling the sting of his uncle's blatant bias.