Right after Alexander hung up the phone, it rang again. This time, the number was unknown. He usually avoided unknown numbers, but this was his private phone. Hesitating only a moment, he answered.

"Hello?"

"Daddy..." A sweet, childish voice filled his ear.

Alexander's frown softened. "Galen?"

"Daddy, Grandpa is sick."

"What? Where are you? Whose phone are you using? Where's Grandpa now?" Alexander's concern mounted; he moved to a quieter corner of the room.

A familiar male voice responded, "Mr. Russell..." He couldn't place it immediately.

"It's Austin," the man said. "There's something I need to tell you."

Relief washed over Alexander. He adjusted his tie. "What is it?"

"About Galen... I don't think it's appropriate for him to stay here any longer. Could you bring him home?" Austin's voice was hesitant.

"What?" Alexander was taken aback. He'd only recently left Galen with Dominic, who'd readily agreed to keep him. Austin's call, instead of Dominic's, added to his confusion.

Alexander's frown deepened. "What happened?"

"I can't explain it over the phone, but I don't think it's suitable for your son to stay here. Uncle Dom is ill, too. Please come get Galen as soon as possible."

The line went dead, punctuated by a flurry of indistinct sounds. A cold dread settled over Alexander. His intuition screamed something was seriously wrong, though he couldn't guess what. Austin's cryptic warnings, Dominic's illness—it was all unsettling. Galen sounded fine, yet a deep unease remained.

He turned, grabbed his coat, and instructed his servant, "Prepare the car. I'm going out. Postpone all my meetings; cancel the ones we can't."

Alexander left immediately, accompanied by several bodyguards. Nothing appeared amiss from the outside. He instructed the bodyguards to remain outside while he approached the main door, redialing Austin's number.

He called repeatedly on the way, reaching Austin only once. He informed Austin he was en route, again pressing for an explanation. Austin only mumbled something about everyone being ill and urged caution before abruptly hanging up, deepening Alexander's apprehension. Upon arrival, he couldn't reach Austin. He signaled a bodyguard to knock on the imposing iron door, but there was no response. Usually, the butler would greet them, regardless of whether they were granted entry. Now, an unnerving silence reigned—as if the house were empty.