Chapter 16 - THE SENTENCE
Celeste was convicted.
Conspiracy.
Reckless endangerment.
Witness intimidation.
Unlawful restraint tied to Rosa.
Weapons charges.
Not attempted murder.
The jury did not believe the state proved she intended Dad to die.
That mattered.
Truth should matter even when anger wants more.
At sentencing, employees filled the courtroom.
Maria spoke.
Rosa spoke.
A former valet spoke.
Then I did.
I had not planned to.
The judge asked.
I stood.
“My cheek healed in days.”
I looked at Celeste.
“The punch became a video.”
“The dress became a joke.”
“But that is not why we are here.”
I turned toward the employees.
“We are here because people learned to be quiet around her.”
Celeste stared at me.
“And because powerful people helped her believe silence meant permission.”
Victor lowered his head.
I continued.
“I don’t want the maximum sentence because I hate her.”
A pause.
“I want whatever sentence makes it hardest for her to do this to someone else.”
I sat.
Celeste received eleven years.
She screamed at the judge.
Then at Victor.
Then at me.
“You ruined my life!”
I did not answer.
Dad did.
From the second row.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“You finally met the bill.”
Deputies took her away.
Outside, Victor stood alone.
No company car.
No assistants.
He looked at Dad.
“I thought giving her everything was love.”
Dad leaned on his cane.
“I know.”
Victor’s eyes filled.
“What do I do now?”
Dad looked toward the courthouse doors.
“Stop making yourself the victim.”
Victor nodded.
It was the first useful thing he had done without being forced.
Then my phone rang.
Mercer Dominion.
Emergency.
Dad’s face changed.
“What?”
The attorney on the line said.
“Harrow Crest’s new CEO has disappeared.”
May you like
And ninety million dollars from the employee restitution account had moved with him.
