The Trial Begins
Chapter 15 - The Trial Begins
Six months later, the courthouse steps filled before dawn.
Julian and Celeste were tried separately, but their cases overlapped through the same financial records, recordings, and witness testimony. Evelyn was the prosecution’s central witness in both.
Celeste’s lawyer tried to reduce her to a resentful employee.
“You received a substantial financial offer from Mr. Harrington after the gala, correct?”
“I declined it.”
“You now advise the foundation?”
“Under court supervision.”
“You have benefited professionally from this scandal.”
Evelyn looked toward the jury. “My husband is dead. My daughter watched me be struck and accused of theft. I would trade every professional benefit to undo that night.”
The courtroom fell silent.
Julian’s attorney argued that the road collision had been accidental. Then prosecutors played Julian’s jailhouse call to a former friend.
I should have called an ambulance, he had said. But if Thomas lived, we were finished.
Arthur testified against his son.
When asked whether he still loved Julian, he answered, “Yes.”
The defense attorney appeared relieved.
Arthur continued, “Love is not permission to escape consequence.”
Celeste watched from the gallery during Julian’s testimony. He finally turned against her, describing the forged accounts and the order to retrieve Thomas’s files.
She stared at him with no trace of maternal tenderness.
“You weak little fool,” she whispered loudly enough for the microphones to catch.
That sentence ended any remaining illusion that she had acted only to protect her child.
Outside the courthouse, Lily waited with Claire. She handed Evelyn a folded paper star.
“For luck.”
Evelyn placed it in her pocket before returning to the witness stand.
May you like
Thomas had trusted the star.
Now she did too.
