Chapter 8 - THE COURTROOM
Six months later, the case reached court.
The prosecution presented the recovered camera footage, the laboratory
results, the purchase records for the hidden device, and the financial
trail connecting Julian Vance to Peter Shaw.
The defense argued that the wine had been contaminated accidentally and
that the camera footage lacked context.
The prosecution countered with the vial recovered from Julian’s office.
Its contents matched the allergen found in the decanter. Messages
recovered from Julian’s encrypted phone showed that he had discussed
Alejandro’s documented allergy and the timing of the board meeting.
One message was particularly damaging.
“Make sure he drinks from the decanter himself. No staff should be able
to say they handled the glass.”
Another read:
“If he doesn’t survive, the emergency resolution is ready.”
Sofia testified about the night of the incident. She described the
shattered glass, the guards blocking her, and Emma’s decision to use the
prescribed emergency device.
She did not embellish what happened. She did not call her daughter a
hero. She simply explained the facts.
The defense questioned why a four-year-old had been allowed near the
study.
Sofia’s voice remained steady.
“She was with me in the corridor. She heard a person in distress. The
adults who were supposed to protect Mr. Moretti were arguing about who
was allowed to enter. My daughter acted while they hesitated.”
The prosecutor asked whether Emma understood what she had done.
“She understood that someone was struggling to breathe. She wanted him
to live.”
The judge allowed a short, recorded statement from Emma to be played.
The questions had been reviewed by a child specialist.
Emma sat beside Sofia in the recording, holding her stuffed rabbit.
“I heard the glass break,” she said. “Mr. Alejandro looked sick. I knew
the red medicine was for when breathing gets bad. I wanted the doctors
to come fast.”
The courtroom was silent.
Julian looked down at the table.
The jury found him guilty of attempted murder, fraud, conspiracy, and
related financial offenses. Peter Shaw was convicted on conspiracy and
fraud charges. The court would determine their sentences after a
separate hearing.
Alejandro attended the verdict.
He did not smile when the decision was read.
He simply closed his eyes and let out a breath he felt he had been
holding for months.
May you like
Justice had not erased the betrayal.
But it had stopped the men responsible from turning it into a legacy.
