Chapter 13 - THE TRIAL
Six months later, the courthouse in Seville was surrounded by reporters.
The case had become international news.
Victoria Laurent faced charges connected to financial fraud, conspiracy, attempted murder, kidnapping, obstruction, and the death of Thomas Whitmore.
Victor Salazar accepted a plea agreement.
He testified against her.
So did Rosa.
So did Elena.
And eventually, Isabella.
Adrian sat behind Mateo during the proceedings.
The boy was not required to testify publicly.
His recorded statement was enough.
Victoria never looked ashamed.
Until the financial evidence appeared.
Hundreds of millions had been hidden through shell companies.
Properties had been transferred.
Signatures forged.
Employees threatened.
Families destroyed.
The prosecution played Elena’s recordings.
Victoria’s own voice filled the courtroom.
“If the boy disappears, the trust disappears with him.”
The jury listened.
Victoria stared straight ahead.
Then came Thomas’s case.
Victor described cutting the brake line.
He described Victoria paying him.
He described the fake footage created afterward.
Adrian closed his eyes.
For twelve years, he had carried guilt that belonged to someone else.
Mateo quietly took his hand.
Adrian looked down.
The boy said nothing.
He did not need to.
Three weeks later, the verdict arrived.
Guilty.
Again.
Guilty.
Again.
Guilty.
Victoria finally reacted.
She stood.
“This family belongs to me!”
The judge ordered her to sit.
“You have no family without me!”
Isabella watched from the gallery.
Mateo sat beside her.
Not close.
But beside her.
Victoria pointed toward him.
“That child exists because I allowed him to exist!”
Mateo looked at her.
Then he said quietly.
“No.”
“You tried to erase me.”
The courtroom went silent.
“But I’m still here.”
Victoria was sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison.
As guards led her away, she looked toward Isabella one final time.
Isabella did not look back.
Outside the courthouse, reporters shouted questions.
Isabella ignored them.
Mateo walked beside Adrian.
Then something unexpected happened.
He reached backward.
His hand found Isabella’s.
She froze.
Mateo did not look at her.
He simply held her hand for twelve steps.
May you like
Then released it.
For Isabella, those twelve steps meant more than the entire Laurent fortune.
