CHAPTER 12: THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY
CHAPTER 12: THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY
The Duke survived surgery.
Prince Alexander did not escape justice.
Neither did Cassandra Vale, Sir Adrian Holt, or the dozens of officials exposed by Elias’s files.
The investigation became the largest criminal case in modern royal history.
Twenty-three missing children were identified.
Seventeen were found alive.
Some had been placed with wealthy families under false identities.
Others had been hidden in private institutions.
The nation watched every day of the trial.
Cassandra sat behind reinforced glass, dressed in gray instead of black.
She showed no emotion until Noah entered the courtroom.
Evelyn did not want him to testify.
But Noah insisted.
“I don’t want the other children to think they have to stay quiet.”
He sat at the witness stand with Evelyn nearby.
The prosecutor spoke gently.
“Do you recognize the woman seated behind the glass?”
Noah looked at Cassandra.
“Yes.”
“What did she tell you about your mother?”
“She said my mother threw me away.”
Evelyn lowered her eyes.
“What happened when you asked questions?”
“She locked me in a dark room.”
Cassandra suddenly stood.
“You were alive because of me!”
The judge ordered her to sit down.
Noah looked at her calmly.
“No. I was alive because Elias protected me.”
Cassandra’s face twisted.
“He was a traitor.”
“He was my friend.”
The courtroom became silent.
Noah continued.
“You told me love made people weak. But you were wrong.”
He looked at Evelyn.
“Love is why I ran.”
Cassandra had no answer.
The jury found her guilty on every charge.
Alexander received life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
Sir Adrian and fourteen others received sentences ranging from twenty years to life.
But Marcus Vale faced charges too.
He had helped move money, even if he claimed he had not known its purpose.
Clara begged him to fight.
Marcus refused.
“I stayed silent when I should have spoken,” he told her. “Silence has a cost.”
He accepted a reduced sentence in exchange for helping locate the remaining children.
Before guards led him away, Clara hugged him.
May you like
“I just found you.”
“I know,” he whispered. “This time, I’ll come back.”
