Ch. 1881..1890

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1881-That punch landed right on Austin’s stomach, causing him to let out aloud growl as he staggered backward.He pointed at Alexander and wanted to say so much, but he could only say, "F* ck!"

"I don’t know what’s going on now either.I’m unsure if everyone here got infected by a virus, an infectious disease, or..."

Alexander stopped briefly before continuing, "You guys are medical practitioners, yet you don’t know what’s happening.

"Do you think I’d know anything? I was just checking if there was anything strange with your bodies.I didn’t mean anything else, and you shouldn’t read too much into that either."

Before Dominic regained consciousness, Alexander could not bring up the matter of the symbiote because he did not know what it was either.

Seeing how rash Austin was, he might just exacerbate the situation.

However, Austin noticed the momentary pause in Alexander’s words.

‘What could it be if not a virus or an infectious disease? What is it?’ Perhaps the two men were causing too much commotion, or that time was up, but Dominic moved lightly.

Although it was a light move, the two instantly returned to their senses and focused on Dominic.

"Old man!"

Alexander stood closer to Dominic as he reacted first.

"Yeah..."

Dominic managed to squeeze a word out.It was soft, almost inaudible, but that was enough for them.

"Uncle Dom!"

Austin pounced over, forgetting about the pain in his stomach.

"You're awake? How are you feeling? Are you cold? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

He tried to squeeze himself forward, almost shoving Alexander to the side in the process.

Alexander knew Austin was anxious and did not mind his actions.He even moved to the side to give the latter space.

However, Dominic glanced at Austin before averting his gaze to Alexander again.

Then he raised his hand slightly.

Alexander held Dominic’s hand right away.

"I’m listening."

"Help me...up."

Dominic only said three words but needed to breathe between them to complete his sentence.

He also closed his eyes midway, looking like he was conserving energy.

Although conscious now, he was still tired and in bad condition.

Austin came over to help Dominic sit up as he placed a pillow behind the older man’s back.

Dominic had always been energetic back then, but it seemed he had aged a lot overnight.

It upset Austin to see this.

"Uncle Dom, how are you feeling? It’s all my fault.I looked up all sorts of information, but I can’t find out what disease this is! Don’t worry too much; I promise I’ll find out soon.I must get the antidote for you even if I need to barge into their headquarters,"

Austin choked, promising Dominic as tears threatened to fall from his eyes.

After all, Austin believed his granduncle would not be in this state if he did not save him.

Austin swore he must save Dominic, even at the cost of his own life.

"Get out of here!"

Dominic rolled his eyes and roared.It rendered Austin speechless.

He instantly stopped feeling his emotions and pursed his lips while staring at Dominic.

It turned out Dominic was still the same as ever.

Although he was weaker now, to the point it was exhausting for him to speak, Austin was glad to hear his granduncle reprimanding him.

"Your granduncle did so much just to save you from that place.He didn’t do it just so you could go back there again,"

Alexander said, "Don’t be rash."

Austin did not know what to say.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1883-Dominic shut his eyes and nodded slightly in agreement with Alexander while Austin remained quiet.However, guilt-ridden for having caused all this, he was anxious to find out what it was all about.

"It’s not your fault."

Seemingly able to read his mind, Dominic raised his hand slightly and moved his fingers.

"Go...fetch my silver needle."

Austin repeatedly nodded upon hearing his granduncle’s instruction.

"Right away!"

He was eager to do everything for his granduncle as long as the older man could get well.

Dominic quietly gazed after Austin as he anxiously ran out of the room like a child, then turned to Alexander.

Alexander knew the older man had something to say to him.

"I..."

Dominic then raised his arm.

Alexander knowingly held the arm a bit higher and rolled up the older man’s sleeve.

"I checked both your arms, and there’s nothing.The mark you showed me before has disappeared.I also checked Austin’s body; he doesn’t have it either.What the hell...was it?"

He knew it was exhausting for Dominic to speak, so he mentioned all his discoveries in one go.

Dominic nodded and looked satisfied.

‘It’s good that he can read my mind"

"Water..."

he glanced at the glass beside him, and Alexander immediately understood him.

Alexander got up, poured a glass of water, then fed the older man some, holding it to his lips.

After drinking water, Dominic seemed to have regained some strength and leaned his head back.

He was quiet for a few seconds before slowly saying, "It’s a symbiote."

He continued after a brief pause, "They first grew it inside Austin and fed it with nutrients to accelerate its growth.It used his body as its base before spreading to others.Since it causes no pain, it’s hard to detect."

Alexander was stunned.

Although Dominic spoke briefly, his message was clear.

The organization first put the symbiote inside Austin’s body, which served as a tool to grow it.

When the symbiote reached maturity, it then infected the others.

Therefore, the source was indeed Austin.

However, it was not a pathogen as they previously thought, but a symbiote, which was something new.

After all, the research institute had been researching viruses and poisonous plants, and no one expected the disease to have something to do with symbiotes.

"So you’re saying Austin is a tool to grow the symbiote? But I didn’t find any trace of it on his body," Alexander asked.

Dominic shook his head lightly and said as he looked at Alexander, "The symbiote’s mother would protect itself, so Austin will be fine for now."

In other words, the symbiote had spread its venom to others through its children.

The one inside Austin was the mother, so he would be fine.

That was why he looked lively, even radiant.

"Then..."

Just as Alexander was about to ask again, he heard a sound from the doorway.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1883-Austin stood in shock at the doorway as what he held fell to the floor with a clang.

As he always took his time when asked to do things, Dominic was surprised that his grandnephew was back so soon.

Worse, he seemed to have overheard their conversation.

"Uncle Dom, I’m...the mother?"

His voice sounded odd.

It was hard for him to accept this.

Although Austin always suspected he was the source and the cause of what had happened, he found it hard to accept what he had just heard.

Even the word "mother" sounded bizarre to him.

Dominic coughed and explained, "Not you, but the thing inside you."

However, the older man’s brief clarification only bewildered Austin further.

"Inside me..."

Austin looked down at his body but could not see anything with his clothes on.He quickly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his skinny body.His previously lean and clear- defined muscle groups were no longer visible.

Dominic saw what his grandnephew was doing and coughed before sighing.

"You won’t be able to see it.Cover yourself up!"

"So you’re saying there’s something inside me? But you said you eliminated the toxin, and I’m fine.How can I..."

It was a massive blow to Austin.He always thought he had recovered, and his formidable granduncle had found a way to counteract the "virus."

However, he had caused his granduncle and the older man’s servants to fall sick.

Not only that, but Austin had yet to recover fully.

‘Only God knows what’s still hiding inside my body.I can also infect other people at any time.I’m like a ticking time bomb, bringing danger to people around me, and I...have no idea when it’ll attack me"

Besides fear, Ausint felt somewhat sick to his stomach.He covered his mouth and turned to run into the bathroom.

Alexander and Dominic exchanged helpless expressions when hearing Austin throwing up.

One of the reasons Dominic did not want to tell his grandnephew about this was so he would not be overly stressed.

It would be easier for Austin if he did not know anything afterward.

However, Dominic could no longer hide it from Austin as he had overheard the duo’s conversation.

"Then...is there a solution to this?"

Alexander turned his head back and asked solemnly.

Although the whole thing sounded creepy and bizarre, being someone who had been around, he knew he must not panic as the most important thing was to come up with a solution.

‘Since it already happened, there’s no point in panicking.What matters now is to think of a way to solve the problem"

Dominic did not answer him and sighed instead.

Meanwhile, Alexander wondered if the older man had no solution or was simply too tired and needed to rest.

After some thought, Alexander continued, "I remember reading about venomous symbiotes in some novels, which claim people create them and there are ways to get rid of them.However, I thought they originated from West Virho.Does it mean they’re also being created overseas?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1884-The secret organization originated overseas and always focused on viruses.

After expanding into the country, it started researching herbs and poisonous plants.

Therefore, Alexander wondered if people from West Virho were involved in this.

"I have no idea,"

Dominic shook his head and said, "But you’re right that there are ways to get rid of them."

"Yes."

After throwing up in the bathroom, Austin stuck his head out while palming his chest.

"I read about it in the ancient text downstairs, but we first have to know what kind of symbiotes they are." Probably revolted by the mention of "symbiotes," he rushed back inside to continue throwing up.

The other two were speechless.

Dominic curled his lip but looked toward Alexander and nodded.

"He’s right."

‘Looks like Austin hasn't wasted time reading the books and has learned something after all. Perhaps I underestimated him"

"Then how do we determine what kind of symbiotes they are?"

Alexander thought about it and asked, "Anything I can do to help?"

If Lily were here, she would know what to do and what she could do, but not him because medicine was not his forte.

There seemed to be nothing he could not solve in the business world, and he used to think he could do anything, but he felt powerless standing there now.He had no experience coaxing and soothing his son and was equally at a loss for what to do about the complex disease.He did not know as much as Austin, who was throwing up in the bathroom.

Alexander could do nothing in the end.

"We must come up with the counteracting medicine, but it’s not the time yet.Besides, I suspect we’re not the only ones infected," Dominic said blandly.

He looked calm.

Although he was weak, he seemed to be doing much better than when he was in the bathtub.

Alexander was confused.

"Not just you guys?"

At this moment, Austin finally finished throwing up and rinsed his mouth.

Then he came out to wipe his face, saying, "Uncle Dom, are you saying there are others I’ve infected? Like...My parents and grandfather?"

Although he tried his best to control himself, his voice quivered slightly.

After all, they were his family, and he knew it would be a serious matter if he were right.

Dominic gave him a deep look and slowly nodded.

Alexander was shocked.

He thought if they cut themselves off from the outside world, they could contain the spread of the disease and minimize the impact, but the infection might have happened long ago.

‘It’s too late now"

Austin looked even grimmer.

He tightened his grip on the towel and said through clenched teeth, "I don’t get it.How is the disease transmitted? Would I infect anyone I come into contact with? Wouldn’t many people be infected already if that's the case? "I can’t even recall how many people I was in contact with when I ran away from that hellhole, not to mention those on the streets.What about the police officers involved? Wouldn’t it mean..."

‘Wouldn't it mean the disease would spread widely, and we can’t contain it?’

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1885-Dominic slowly shook his head.

"I don’t suppose so."

"Suppose?"

Taken back, Austin was put ill at ease by his uncertain tone.

"I haven’t done much research on venomous symbiotes, and what I know is only based on ancient texts.I’ve never encountered them in real life before, so I can only guess."

He thought it was better to be cautious about the matter as he could not be 100% sure.

Austin understood what his granduncle meant and nodded.

After thinking about it, he asked, "So...how does the disease transmit?"

He subconsciously glanced at Alexander as he was in contact with him too.

If the disease got transmitted through direct contact, many others would have gotten infected by now.

"My guess is through blood," Dominic concluded after pondering.

"Blood?"

Dominic nodded and breathed.

"You've been in contact with many people since returning.However, until now, the infected people are just my servants and me.Since you’ ve stayed here for some time, we can't be the only ones if the transmission is through direct contact.Therefore..."

After a pause, he looked at Austin and said, "I think it was because we were all exposed to your blood."

"You guys?"

Austin was stunned and shook his head.

"That’s not possible!"

"Uncle Dom, you came into contact with my blood, but not all of the servants, right?" He thought his claim was unlikely as it seemed to be too far-fetched.

"They did!"

However, Dominic was sure.

"They all did, directly or indirectly."

Austin was baffled.

"You bled heavily, and I was the one who contacted your blood directly while the servants either washed your clothes or cleaned your body.In other words, we all did."

It was not a wild guess.

The standard medium of transmission of infectious disease was either blood, saliva, or any other bodily fluid unless it was the previous respiratory virus that would cause a widespread pandemic.

Still, the one inside Austin could not be that kind of virus.

If it were, the infection would have been widespread and not just happening within the estate.That was what led Dominic to his conclusion.

"So, my parents were exposed to my blood as well..."

Thinking so, Austin couldn’t help but shudder.

‘If Uncle Dom is right, then my parents.."

"I'll call them now!"

He desperately wanted to find out if Dominic was right.

Austin turned to look for his phone when he suddenly remembered something before dialing the number.

He whipped around, his eyes wide.

"Lily too..."

Everyone fell silent.

‘That's right! Lily was exposed to his blood and even gave him an acupuncture treatment.If Dominic is right, she got infected too"

Alexander looked alarmed.

He knew how badly Dominic had suffered from it and could not imagine if it were to happen to Lily.

"Galen..."

Austin paused and continued, "He hadn’t come in contact with my blood, right?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1886-Stunned, Dominic frowned and pondered carefully.

Then he slowly shook his head.

"He hadn't, I suppose."

The child was naughty, but Dominic cared for him well and would never let him do anything dangerous.He would even keep the kid away from things that could hurt him.

Thinking back, he believed Galen did not expose himself to Austin’s blood, nor was there such a chance.

Alexander heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that his son did not come into contact with Austin’s blood.

However, he was puzzled by something and asked, "But...Galen has a fever."

"Fever?"

Dominic was shocked.

"What other symptoms does he have?"

Leaning forward, he nearly sat up in alarm.

Alexander noticed the older man’s anxiousness and tried to calm him down.

"No, he has no other symptoms besides having a fever.He also has a good appetite and fell asleep after having some soup and biscuits.I took his temperature just now, and his fever has subsided."

Dominic was relieved to hear that Galen had no other symptoms.

"That’s good to hear."

"So, Galen is not infected, right?" Alexander asked tentatively.

He earnestly hoped so, but he could not be sure.

"No, I’m sure he’s not,"

Dominic muttered, shaking his head.He wished and prayed the boy was not.

Still, no one could be certain about this.

"I’m calling my parents," Austin said, taking his phone and leaving the room.

Alexander looked toward Dominic.

"Were you trying to draw out the symbiotes by taking the herbal bath?"

Dominic opened his eyes to look at him, then nodded.

"I underestimated them because they’re resilient and good at hiding.I’ve failed to draw them out even after...three hours."

He looked at his arm, which looked normal and the same as usual.

However, only Alexander knew that the older man’s arm nearly burst open three hours ago, and no one knew what was inside.

"Call Lily,"

Dominic said, "So you can put your mind at rest."

"Will do."

Alexander nodded —he was indeed worried about her.

Just as he got up, Austin hurried in anxiously while holding his phone.

"Uncle Dom, I think my parents...got infected too!"

The other two knew he was trying to calm himself down, but he could not hide the tears in his eyes nor the quiver in his voice.

What he feared most had happened.

"They're showing symptoms?"

Dominic propped himself up and asked, concerned.

It was not just a matter of their family getting infected but whether his speculation about the transmission medium was correct.

"They have a fever, and their bodies are itchy, but they didn’t tell me about it because they didn’t want me to worry."

Austin took a deep breath.

"I must have infected them.It’s all my fault!"

"I must go and fetch them!" he said, "If not, I wonder how many more people would get infected."

Before Dominic could say anything, Alexander suddenly turned around and walked away.

Taking a hurried pace, he eagerly dialed the number as his heart began to pound.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1888-Alexander felt much more relieved after hearing Lily’s confident response, even if it was only meant to comfort him.He felt less anxious and chuckled before imitating her tone, saying, "I know my body well."

Lily was speechless.

"How are you over there?" Alexander changed the subject.

"Things are going well."

She loosened her hair and shook her head to stretch her neck.She palmed it, looked up, and glanced around before saying blandly, "I can return to you and Galen once I complete the task here.You guys...just be careful."

Alexander knew the organization monitored her, and it was sometimes inconvenient for her to talk, so he did not ask why she said that.

"l take care of things here, so don’t worry too much.If you experience discomfort, you must tell me, okay?"

After a pause, he suddenly sounded much more relaxed.

"But I think you’re not infected either."

Lily was surprised.

"If you are, wouldn’t everyone there be infected as well? Since they’ve created it, they wouldn’t risk infecting themselves, would they?" he reasoned.

"You're right."

Lily nodded and said, "That’s why you shouldn’t worry too much.Let’s monitor things first."

"Okay."

After Alexander hung up the phone, his mind could relax a little more.Although what he said just now was meant for " someone" to hear, his reasoning was sound.

Since the symbiotes came from there, they should know if Lily were indeed infected, they would suffer the same fate eventually.

Thinking so, he felt much more at ease.

When he turned to go back to the room, he nearly collided with Austin at the doorway.

Alexander saw the latter rushing away and seized his sleeve.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to fetch my parents and grandfather.They might be infected as well."

Austin pulled a long face and had tears in his eyes.

The man had been hit with a series of setbacks recently.

With Dominic falling sick, he had to shoulder everything on his own, and he was now feeling worse than when the symbiote tormented him in the earlier stages.

During that time, he suffered physical pains, and now he was mentally anguished.

Austin could not even describe his guilt when seeing his closest kin, including his grandfather, suffering so much agony.

"Wait!"

Alexander stopped him and said, "Since you know it’s infectious, and we still haven’t confirmed the transmission medium yet, don’t you think you might infect more people if you go?"

"I won’t.I'll drive myself and leave as soon as I pick them up.I won’t come into contact with anyone else on my way."

Austin had made up his mind and was anxious.He was dying to see his parents when he heard their weak voices over the phone.

"Once you leave the estate, how can you guarantee you won’t spread it? Besides, how can you be sure your parents and grandfather haven't already spread the disease?" Alexander asked, not letting go of his sleeve.

Although they were unsure about the transmission medium, they were sure he was the source.

Therefore, he should not be wandering around.

Anxious, Austin yanked his arm away and yelled, "I don’t f*cking care!"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1887-No matter how hard Alexander tried, he couldn’t stop worrying and felt overwhelmed by anxiety.He dared not think what would happen if Lily was indeed infected.

‘She’s a pregnant woman, for God’s sake! How's she going to cope?’ The call rang several times.If it were before, he would stop calling and wait for her to return his call, but he could not wait for another second and kept calling.

Until...

Someone finally answered, and a familiar voice sounded.

Alexander suddenly felt like a deflated balloon and almost went limp.

"Hello?"

Lily’s gentle voice had a sense of bewilderment.

"What happened?"

She saw her phone vibrating non-stop when she returned to her resting place.She grew even more puzzled seeing Alexander’s number because he had never called her repeatedly like this before.

"Are you...feeling any discomfort?" Alexander said hesitantly. He was anxious but did not want to act too nervous, affecting her mood.

"No," Lily said, puzzled, "What’s going on?"

Alexander pursed his lips and pondered momentarily, then briefly told her what was happening.

However, he skipped the part about the symbiote showing itself under Dominic’s skin and repeated what the older man said.He received no response for some time after he finished talking.

Alexander waited a few more seconds and nearly thought the call got cut off, but he saw it was not and tentatively said, "Lily?"

"I’m here,"

Lily caught herself and said, "I got it.So, how’s Dominic?"

"His condition seems to have stabilized, but I’m not a professional."

He had listened to Dominic’s instructions, and even Austin was unsure what to do.

After all, they knew too little about symbiotes.

"How’s Galen?"

Lily immediately thought about their son.

Alexander rubbed the center between his eyebrows.

"He was feverish when I arrived, but his temperature has gone down, and he seems fine.I suppose he’s not infected."

After a pause, he asked, "What about you? Dominic says it gets transmitted through blood.You came into contact with Austin and gave him an acupuncture treatment.You..."

The more he said, the more worried he became.

"I’m all right."

Lily interrupted him and said with certainty.

She knew why he was worried and panicked because she had gone through it before.

Lily was just as anxious when he was in Burnwken and received no news about him.She was also in a state of panic after discovering he had gotten infected after finding him.She was not 100% sure if she could cure him then.

Likewise, Alexander was concerned about her and worried about her health.

Lily feared her husband might not believe her and continued, "Although it most likely gets transmitted through blood, it doesn't mean we will surely get infected just by coming into contact with it.It's just speculation, and no one can be sure for now.

"I know my body well, and I’m fine," she confidently said as if trying to convince him, "You're the one who should look after yourself over there, okay?"

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1889 -"you know you do!"

Alexander pulled Austin back forcefully, causing him to lurch due to inertia.

Austin was in a momentary daze as he staggered to a stop.

Alexander looked at him solemnly.

"Now the situation is unclear, and not even Dominic knows what the hell these symbiotes are.You'll only worsen things by being so reckless.

"You especially mustn’t wander around because you’re the source.Your family and the servants might not truly be infected and could be displaying symptoms of other diseases.Therefore, you could play right into the organization’s hands if you recklessly go out there to pick up your family, okay?"

His words got through to Austin.

Austin cooled down as if a bucket of cold water had poured over him.He opened his mouth.

"Then...what should I do?"

He was too anxious.He hated himself and wished he had died in that hellhole when he thought about the torment his parents and grandfather might be facing.

Now that Alexander had laid it out for Austin, he thought the former’s reasoning made sense.

Austin knew he should not wander around because he might cause even more significant harm, no matter how anxious he was.

Now he felt like a virus carrier who could cause unimaginable disasters wherever he went.

"We don’t have to worry about the estate since no one can leave, and my men are standing guard outside.As for your family..."

Alexander paused and knitted his brow, "I’ll send someone over to ensure no one can leave or enter the place.

"Rest assured that my men will provide the daily necessities.However, you must tell your family how important it is for them to cooperate."

Often, the lack of cooperation from people ultimately led to a big mess.

Therefore, Alexander knew he must emphasize this and ask Austin to stress it to his family.

"I understand."

Austin nodded but asked with some concern, "But ...Will your people get infected?"

Alexander shook his head and said, "I can’t say for sure, but at this moment, it’s the only way to minimize the risks.At least, they wouldn’t have direct contact with your family or you."

He paused and threw Austin a deep look.

Austin pursed his lips and knew Alexander was right.

‘There’s no other way that’s better than this"

Alexander raised his hand to pat Austin’s shoulder.

Then he softened his tone, saying, "Don’t worry too much.Based on what we know, the disease hasn't spread widely.Besides, we can’t be sure if your blood infected them, and it’s all speculation.We're just doing our best to minimize risks."

Austin knew Alexander was trying to comfort him, but it did make him feel better.

Austin lowered his gaze, uttering only two words, "Thank you."

He had always been arrogant, but what he experienced lately made him feel like a useless nobody who could not save himself and brought many troubles to his family and even harmed society.

‘There’s indeed so much to learn about herbal medicine.I didn’t take it seriously when Uncle Dom told me about it, but now I know I've barely scratched the surface.There's so much more I know nothing about"

After hearing Austin expressing his gratitude, Alexander did not say much else and gently patted Austin’s shoulder twice.

Spoiled by mr. russell chapter 1890 -Alexander immediately told his men to carry out his plan while Austin called his family.

The latter did not mention the symbiote because it was hard to explain to his family, and he did not want to cause panic.

All he said was that there was an unknown disease, and he asked them not to panic nor go anywhere but to recuperate at home as Dominic had started to develop a cure.

He also told them Alexander's men would deliver daily necessities to them and told them not to go to a hospital.

Austin knew the hospitals could not deal with the symbiotes, and they might even spread the disease.

After the duo settled some things, it was already dark outside.

Alexander made a simple meal, and after feeding Galen, he held his son and sat on the balcony to look at the stars.

It had been a while since Alexander sat and peacefully gazed at the starry sky.

As they were in the suburbs and no buildings or light sources were around, the stars shone brightly in the clear night sky.

The twinkling stars were so beautiful that they seemed surreal.

"Daddy, are people getting sick?"

Galen looked up and asked.

Alexander hesitated for a moment and nodded.

"Yes."

"Then am I getting sick too?"

The boy pointed at his tiny nose and asked innocently.

Stumped, Alexander shook his head.

"You won’t."

He knew he would risk his life to save his son, even if Galen had gotten infected.

However, Alexander felt a surge of sorrow as he looked at his son’s tiny hands and body after hearing his innocent question.

‘Human beings spend their lives struggling to make a living, and only when they are close to death do they realize that the well- being of their loved ones is what matters most"

"Daddy, I’m not afraid of dying!"

The kid held his father’s hand and let out an earnest look.

"But I miss Mommy."

The simple remark nearly made Alexander shed tears.

Galen had always been sensible and never talked about him missing his mother.His carefree acting nearly made Alexander and the others forget he was just a child.

Galen was less than three years old but was unusually thoughtful.

However, he was still a kid and yearned for his mother’s companionship.

Moreover, Lily had been busy lately and could not even guarantee her own safety.

Alexander held his son tightly between his arms and rested his chin on the boy’s head as he said gently, "Don’t worry because Mommy will be back soon.By then, everyone will get well, and we can be together again."

Galen blinked, not entirely understanding his father’s words but believing him nonetheless.