Chapter 14 - THE VERDICT
The jury deliberated for three days.
Aline worked both days.
On the third, she burned six croissants because her phone kept vibrating.
Lucas finally took it away.
“You’re banned.”
“You work for me.”
“Not emotionally.”
Fair.
The call came at 2:18 p.m.
Verdict.
Samantha was convicted of fraud, identity theft, witness tampering, obstruction, and conspiracy.
Not attempted murder.
There was not enough proof.
Accuracy mattered.
Eduardo later pleaded guilty to financial fraud, witness tampering, and safety-record falsification related to Roberto Ferreira’s death.
He did not go to prison for murder.
He did go for crimes that finally had names.
Vale Development survived under new ownership.
Employees kept most jobs.
The Vale family lost control.
Helena divorced Eduardo.
Luisa received a reduced sentence after cooperation.
Raul, the security chief, lost his job for negligence but was not charged.
Bernardo was fully cleared.
He framed the clearance letter.
Heitor mocked him.
Bernardo said.
“Eight months of my life.”
“I’m framing everything.”
At sentencing, Samantha looked at Heitor.
“I loved you.”
He said nothing.
She looked at Aline.
“You took him.”
Aline shook her head.
“No.”
Samantha laughed bitterly.
“Of course you’d say that.”
Aline answered.
“He left because of what you did when you thought nobody important was watching.”
Samantha’s face changed.
That landed.
The judge sentenced her to nine years.
Some people online called it too much.
Others too little.
Aline stopped reading comments.
After court, Heitor waited outside.
No reporters near them.
No grand gesture.
He held two coffees.
“One is terrible.”
“Which one?”
“I forgot your order.”
Aline stared.
Heitor looked embarrassed.
“I panicked.”
She laughed.
Actually laughed.
He handed her both.
“Pick.”
She tasted one.
“Awful.”
“Great.”
They sat on a low stone wall.
Heitor said.
“I don’t want to ask for anything today.”
“Good.”
A pause.
“Tomorrow?”
Aline looked at him.
“Maybe.”
That was enough.
Then Mariana called.
The civil case regarding Roberto’s death had settled.
The compensation was significant.
Aline stared at the number.
Her first thought was not a house.
Not a car.
Not revenge.
It was an oven.
A very good oven.
She started laughing.
Heitor looked confused.
“What?”
May you like
“My brother is going to be unbearable.”
