Chapter 1688: "Austin, Austin..."

Michelle called out, but froze upon entering the room. "Oh, my God! What's going on?!"

Elijah, a step behind, couldn't see inside. Hearing his wife's exclamation, he pushed past her, his breath catching in his throat at the scene before him. The room was in disarray. The large bed lay empty, Austin bound to a recliner with iron chains, his clothes torn, his appearance haggard.

"Austin, what's going on?!" Michelle cried, rushing to embrace him, tears streaming down her face. "Why are you tied up? Who tied you up?!"

"Me!" A clear voice came from the doorway. Dominic stood there.

"Uncle Dom! Why are you treating Austin like this?! He's your nephew! You've watched him grow up! How can you bear to do this?!" Michelle cried, her anger tempered by fear. She desperately searched for a way to unlock the chains. "Where's the key? Unlock him! I'll help you. Don't be scared!"

Elijah could no longer stand by. "I respect you as an elder," he said, his voice tight with controlled rage. "I've always respected you, even if you dislike my family. Austin is even more respectful than I am; he treated you as his grandfather. How can you treat him like this? He's a human being, not an animal!" His finger trembled as he pointed at Dominic. "It doesn't matter if you're trying to punish him, but no matter what he did wrong, you can't chain him up like this! He's just returned from a kidnapping; do you know how much he's suffered?!" "The key! Give me the key!" Michelle pleaded, frantically searching.

Then, a weak voice: "Mom?"

"I'm here! I'm here, my son! Tell me, what is it?" Relief flooded her. "Do you want to go home? Don't worry. Mommy will take you home. You won't have to suffer anymore!"

"No..." His dry lips parted. Weakly, he clung to her clothes. "I told Uncle Dominic to tie me up. He's helping me... saving me..."

"Saving you?!" Michelle and Elijah exchanged bewildered glances.

Daniel, leaning on his crutches, approached. The sight of his grandson broke his heart. "It's a long story," Austin explained, his voice strained. "I was injected with a virus in the lab. I don't know what it is, but Uncle Dom has been trying to save me. He tied me up so I wouldn't hurt myself." Exhaustion etched his features. He'd experienced two seizures that day, far more frequent than before. The pain ravaged his body and mind.

"Virus?!" Michelle gasped, kneeling before Dominic. "Uncle Dom, I'm sorry for my words. Please! Please help save Austin!"

Elijah quickly added, "Of course, Uncle Dom will help Austin!"

Dominic tossed the key to Elijah. "Didn't you want to bring him home? Take him away!" He snarled.