Chapter 17 - THE TRIAL OF THE WHITE ROSE
Six months later, Victor Vale’s trial began in Manhattan.
The prosecution presented the financial ledgers, Isabelle’s recordings, the dash-camera footage, and testimony from former foundation employees.
Captain Brand accepted a plea agreement.
He admitted falsifying the accident report and helping Victor control corrupt officers.
Dr. Warren confessed to altering medical files and supplying sedatives used against witnesses.
Marcus Reed refused to cooperate.
He insisted he had only followed orders.
Celeste agreed to testify.
The courtroom erupted when she described the day Lily was locked inside the stone chamber.
“I believed the recording was hidden in her rabbit.”
The prosecutor faced her.
“Why did you lock a child inside a windowless room?”
“Victor threatened to kill me.”
“Did Lily threaten you?”
“No.”
“Did Nora threaten you before you struck her?”
“No.”
“Did Adrian order you to harm his daughter?”
“No.”
“Then the choice was yours.”
Celeste lowered her head.
“Yes.”
Lily did not attend the trial.
Adrian refused to make her relive the chamber for the entertainment of reporters.
Nora testified instead.
She described hearing Lily coughing through the wall.
She described Marcus refusing to open the door.
She described Celeste demanding the location of Isabelle’s evidence.
Victor watched without expression.
During cross-examination, his attorney tried to portray Nora as a dishonest employee.
“You entered the Vale estate under false pretenses.”
“Yes.”
“You searched private areas.”
“Yes.”
“You secretly recorded conversations.”
“Yes.”
“So you admit you are not trustworthy.”
Nora looked toward the jury.
“I lied about why I entered that house.”
“Celeste lied about why a child was locked behind steel.”
“The difference is that my lie opened the door.”
The courtroom became silent.
Victor was convicted on every major charge.
He received multiple life sentences.
Marcus received twenty-eight years.
Brand received thirty-two.
Warren received eighteen.
Celeste received seven years after cooperating fully.
Outside the courthouse, Adrian found Nora standing beneath the stone steps.
“It is over.”
Nora looked toward the crowd.
“The trial is over.”
“That is not the same thing.”
A black envelope had been placed inside her coat pocket.
It contained a photograph of Lily leaving school.
May you like
On the back, someone had written three words.
“Victor had partners.”
