Seraphiel [TCF X ORV]

II

~What a chaos~

Cale's eyes met those intense red ones, which seemed to burn with an inner fire. He took a step forward, observing the scene unfold before him. The adults surrounding the boy, Kim Namwoon, were groaning in frustration, pointing fingers and arguing heatedly with one another.

Kim Namwoon, however, seemed unfazed by the commotion, as if it were a regular occurrence in his life.

A knot tightened in Cale's chest at the sight. It reminded him of the time when his parents had died—how his relatives had fought, not to take him in, but to avoid the responsibility. Yet, this situation was even darker, tainted by the shadow of abuse... just like his uncle.

The butler stepped forward, his demeanor firm yet polite. "Excuse me, sir and madam," he said.

The couple, who stood beside the boy, turned their gazes toward Cale and his butler. The man, with white hair and brown eyes, frowned, his expression a mix of wariness and frustration. The woman, her brown hair streaked with white and her eyes as red as blood rubies, glared with visible anger.

Kim Namwoon, the white-haired youth, looked up with a hint of interest , his expression edged with subtle rudeness. To an outsider, it might seem as though he was merely being insolent. However, Cale, attuned to the nuances of human emotion, caught a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability in the boy's eyes.

Cale recognized that expression all too well. How could he not?..

The man glared at Butler, his voice seething with anger. "Are you implying that we're abusing our son? Ha!"

Kim Namwoon blinked in surprise, clearly unaware of the reasons for his sudden appearance.

The woman rolled her eyes dismissively. "As if! You don’t even have any proof!"

Cale's gaze hardened as he saw his butler being berated. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. "Excuse me, but mind your words. I am the one who called for the court."

The butler stepped in behind Cale, standing by his side with a quiet but resolute presence.

Cale turned his gaze to the woman, his tone firm and commanding. "As for proof, you can present it in court, ma'am."

He then glanced at Kim Namwoon, who flinched slightly as their eyes met. Cale's gaze softened with a hint of empathy. He took a steadying breath and stepped into the courtroom.

Inside, he saw a figure standing by the proceedings—a lawyer, no doubt, representing the other side. The room was filled with an air of tense anticipation, the walls echoing with the whispers of a courtroom drama about to unfold.

Cale walked over and murmured to his butler, "Where's the lawyer?"

The butler replied firmly, "Sir, he is expected to arrive momentarily."

Cale nodded in acknowledgment.

In a few moments, Cale, his butler, and his lawyer were positioned on one side of the courtroom, while Kim Namwoon, his parents, and their lawyer stood on the opposite side. At the front, the judge presided over the proceedings with a stern but attentive demeanor.

The courtroom buzzed with a low hum of anticipation as the lawyers prepared to make their arguments. Cale’s lawyer, a sharp-eyed individual with a commanding presence, rose and addressed the court.

“Your Honor,” he began, his voice steady and authoritative, “we are here to present evidence of ongoing abuse and neglect that has been inflicted upon Kim Namwoon. We have gathered testimonies and documents that support our claim.”