Chapter 13 - THE TRIAL
Six months later, the courtroom was packed.
Richard Sterling sat at the defense table.
Victoria sat behind another attorney.
Eleanor sat beside her.
For the first time, none of them looked powerful.
Nathan sat beside Grace.
Lily stayed with Daniel’s wife outside the city.
The prosecutor played the restaurant video.
Victoria’s voice filled the courtroom.
“Why didn’t you just make the baby disappear?”
Victoria stared straight ahead.
Then came Charles Cole’s recordings.
Financial fraud.
Threats.
The framing of Grace’s father.
Richard discussing medication.
Eleanor discussing police contacts.
One by one, the empire collapsed.
Grace testified.
The defense attorney stood.
“Ms. Miller, isn’t it true Charles Cole offered you twenty million dollars?”
“Yes.”
“And you considered taking it.”
“Yes.”
Murmurs.
Nathan looked at Grace.
She remained calm.
“So you were motivated by money.”
“No.”
“You were prepared to sell your daughter’s inheritance.”
Grace stared at him.
“I was prepared to buy her safety.”
The courtroom went silent.
The attorney smiled.
“You expect this jury to believe you rejected twenty million dollars?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Grace looked at Nathan.
“Because money was the weapon these people used against me.”
She looked back at the jury.
“If I took it, they would own my silence forever.”
The attorney’s smile faded.
Grace continued.
“I was poor.”
“I was scared.”
“I was exhausted.”
“But poor women still know the difference between surviving and surrendering.”
Nathan’s eyes filled.
Richard stared at the table.
Then came Thomas Bennett.
He testified about the stolen patent.
The threats.
The secret deal.
Finally, Samuel Blake testified from a wheelchair.
“Richard Sterling told me Charles was becoming dangerous.”
The prosecutor asked, “Dangerous how?”
“He wanted to confess.”
“And what did Mr. Sterling say?”
Samuel looked directly at Richard.
“He said, ‘Then Charles won’t live long enough to talk.’”
Richard’s attorney jumped up.
“Objection!”
“Overruled.”
The courtroom erupted.
At lunch recess, Nathan stood in the hallway.
Victoria passed him in cuffs.
She stopped.
“Nathan.”
He looked at her.
“You loved me once.”
He said nothing.
Victoria’s eyes filled.
“You did.”
Nathan nodded slowly.
“I loved who I thought you were.”
She flinched.
He continued.
“That woman never existed.”
Victoria’s tears finally fell.
Nathan turned away.
Then Eleanor Sterling appeared.
She looked older.
Tired.
“Grace.”
Grace stopped.
Eleanor swallowed.
“I’m sorry.”
Grace stared at her.
“For which part?”
Eleanor lowered her eyes.
Grace stepped closer.
“My father dying in prison?”
Silence.
“Threatening my mother?”
Silence.
“Testing my infant daughter without permission?”
Eleanor’s face broke.
“I was protecting my family.”
Grace shook her head.
“No.”
“You were protecting your power.”
Eleanor had no answer.
Grace walked away.
That afternoon, the jury returned.
Richard Sterling: guilty on conspiracy, attempted murder, fraud, obstruction.
Eleanor Sterling: guilty on conspiracy, witness intimidation, fraud.
Victoria Sterling: guilty on assault, conspiracy, evidence tampering, attempted kidnapping.
Nathan closed his eyes.
Grace squeezed his hand.
The judge began reading sentencing dates.
Then Daniel entered the courtroom.
He looked worried.
Nathan frowned.
“What?”
Daniel leaned down.
“We have another problem.”
Nathan almost laughed.
“What now?”
Daniel handed him a document.
Nathan read it.
His stomach dropped.
It was a civil filing.
Filed that morning.
Petitioner: Thomas Bennett.
Nathan looked toward Thomas.
Thomas looked equally confused.
Nathan whispered.
“He’s suing for custody rights over Lily.”
Grace went pale.
Thomas stood.
“I didn’t file that.”
May you like
Daniel’s voice dropped.
“Then someone is still trying to tear this family apart.”
