Crave You Forever
Chapter 99: We chose him

Chapter 99: We chose him

As Yeongsoo left Bai Youran’s residence, the twisted laughter and mutterings of obsession fading behind him, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Sliding it out, he saw Sean’s name flashing on the screen. Answering, his voice was still cold, laced with the anger simmering from his previous encounter.

"What is it?" he asked curtly, slipping into his car and slamming the door shut.

Sean’s voice came through, unusually grim. "I’ve got Suho’s files, Yeongsoo. You’re going to want to see this. It’s... not good."

Yeongsoo’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, a vein in his temple pulsing. "I’m on my way. Red Phoenix?"

"Yeah. I’ll be in the back office," Sean replied. "And Yeongsoo... brace yourself."

Ending the call, Yeongsoo exhaled sharply, his knuckles white against the leather of the wheel. He didn’t want to think about what Sean meant, but his gut churned uneasily. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be worse than what Suho had already endured—or so he hoped.

The dim lighting of Red Phoenix, his exclusive club, offered little comfort as Yeongsoo pushed through the sleek black-and-gold double doors. The bass of the music thrummed faintly through the walls, but the main floor was empty—closed off for the day, as per his instructions. He made his way to the private offices at the back, where Sean was waiting.

Sean was sitting at a polished oak desk, a thick file in front of him. His usual easygoing demeanor was absent, replaced with a heavy seriousness. He looked up as Yeongsoo entered, pushing the file across the desk. "Here. Everything I could find."

Without a word, Yeongsoo sat down, flipping open the file. The first thing that greeted him was a photo of Suho—frail, pale, and with hollow eyes that spoke of years of neglect. Beneath it, detailed reports outlined his history: orphanages, multiple failed adoptions, and medical records littered with mentions of malnourishment and injuries.

"His past is... brutal," Sean began, his tone low. "The kid’s been through hell, Yeongsoo. Abandoned as an infant, bounced around the system. Most of the injuries listed are from abuse in foster homes or... other places."

Yeongsoo’s jaw clenched as he skimmed through the records. Each line was a stab to his chest, the horrors Suho had faced laid bare in black and white. There were detailed accounts of neglect, physical harm, and even a few instances of suspected trafficking attempts that Suho had miraculously escaped.

"He was moved so many times, it’s no wonder he doesn’t trust anyone," Sean continued. "The only reason he ended up in that hospital was because he collapsed on the street. Malnourished, feverish, and... alone."

Yeongsoo’s vision blurred with red-hot rage. His fingers curled into a fist, crumpling the edge of the paper he held. "How the hell does a system let this happen to a child?" he ground out, his voice a dangerous growl.

Sean sighed, leaning back in his chair. "The system’s broken, man. Kids like Suho slip through the cracks all the time. But... there’s one thing you need to know. Look at the last page."

Reluctantly, Yeongsoo turned to the final sheet. His eyes scanned the text, and his heart dropped. There, in stark letters, was the name of the man who had last claimed guardianship of Suho—a man with a criminal record tied to illegal activities, known for his connections to underground trafficking rings.

"This bastard," Sean said, tapping the name. "He didn’t get custody through legal means. It was all forged papers and bribery. Suho ran away before anything worse could happen, but... the guy’s still out there."

The thought of Suho escaping from someone so vile, only to end up suffering further, made something inside Yeongsoo snap. "Where is he now?" he demanded, his voice ice-cold.

Sean shook his head. "I’m still tracking him down. But he’s dangerous, Yeongsoo. If he finds out Suho’s alive and with you—"

"He won’t get the chance," Yeongsoo interrupted, his tone final. "If he so much as breathes in Suho’s direction, I’ll make sure he regrets it."

Sean nodded solemnly. "I figured you’d say that. Just... be careful. This isn’t some low-level thug. He’s got connections."

Yeongsoo closed the file and stood, his expression unreadable but his aura radiating danger. "Connections mean nothing to me," he said, his voice low and deadly. "That kid is under my protection now. No one will touch him."

Sean smirked faintly, though the weight of the situation didn’t lift. "Good. That’s the Yeongsoo I know. I’ll keep digging for more information. In the meantime, keep an eye on Suho—and Haeun. You’ve got a lot to protect."

As Yeongsoo reached for the door, Sean’s voice stopped him mid-step.

"Hey," Sean called, leaning back in his chair. "What are you planning to do with Suho now?"

Yeongsoo turned slightly, his hand still on the doorknob. His expression was unreadable, but his jaw tightened at the question.

"What do you mean?"

Sean sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I mean... this is a lot, man. The kid’s got a brutal past, and you’re not exactly living a quiet life. Are you planning to keep him with you? Or..."

"Or what?" Yeongsoo’s voice was dangerously low, a warning.

Sean raised his hands defensively. "Relax. I’m just asking. It’s not like you’re exactly father-of-the-year material. I know you care about him, but are you ready for the responsibility? He’s not just a stray you can take in and hope for the best."

Yeongsoo’s eyes darkened, his gaze sharp as a blade. "He’s not a stray," he said, his voice firm. "He’s a child. And he’s staying with me."

Sean studied him for a moment, his lips quirking into a small, amused smile. "That so? You’ve gone soft, Yeongsoo. Didn’t think I’d ever see the day."

"Call it what you want," Yeongsoo replied, his tone unyielding. "But Suho’s been through enough. I won’t let anyone hurt him again."

Sean leaned forward, his elbows on the desk. "I get that. But you can’t just protect him with threats and fists. The kid needs stability, security. Are you ready to give him that? To be the family he’s never had?