Chapter 19 - The Trial
The trial began nine months later.
Daniel and Evelyn were tried together.
Their attorneys blamed each other.
Evelyn’s lawyer described Daniel as a violent son she could not control.
Daniel’s lawyer described Evelyn as a manipulative mother who had shaped every decision he made.
For the first time in their lives, they could not maintain loyalty because loyalty required sacrifice.
Neither was willing to sacrifice for the other.
Vanessa testified about the forged bank authorization and the pills intended for my wine.
Peter testified about the company fraud and the planning before my father’s death.
Lucas testified about the stolen digital token, Miles’s kidnapping, and Daniel’s threats.
Marta testified about the foyer assault, the hidden recordings, and Evelyn’s attempt to destroy evidence.
Miles testified from the witness stand with a scar beneath his collar.
Dr. Shaw eventually accepted a plea agreement.
He admitted providing Daniel with the medication.
He admitted delaying the emergency call.
He admitted preparing the wine cellar for my forced confinement.
Then the prosecution played my father’s video.
The courtroom watched Daniel contaminate the coffee.
It watched Evelyn carry the cup to my father.
It watched them replace the evidence.
It watched Dr. Shaw wait while a dying man lay on the floor.
Daniel stared at the table.
Evelyn stared at me.
When I testified, Daniel’s attorney tried to portray me as vindictive.
He asked whether I had taken control of Whitmore Industries.
“Yes.”
He asked whether I had removed Daniel from the company.
“The board removed him.”
He asked whether I now owned the estate.
“My trust has always owned it.”
He asked whether I benefited financially from Daniel’s downfall.
“No.”
“That company was nearly destroyed.”
“I spent my own inheritance saving it.”
He changed direction.
“Mrs. Hart, did you stop loving your husband before or after you discovered the affair?”
I looked at Daniel.
“I stopped loving the person he pretended to be.”
The jury deliberated for two days.
Daniel was convicted on every major count.
Evelyn was convicted of murder, conspiracy, fraud, and evidence destruction.
Dr. Shaw received twenty-eight years under his plea agreement.
Lucas received twelve years.
Peter received five years and agreed to return all illegal compensation.
Vanessa received probation for identity fraud because of her cooperation and the threats used against her.
Daniel was sentenced to life without parole.
Evelyn received the same.
Before she was taken away, Evelyn turned toward me.
“This will always be my house.”
I thought of the slap.
The foyer.
The rain.
The night she believed she had thrown me into nothing.
May you like
“No,” I said.
“It was never yours.”
