Chapter 9 - The Trial's Final Echo
Six months later.
The state trial of Vance Sterling concluded with a unanimous guilty verdict on charges of attempted murder, corporate embezzlement, and criminal endangerment. He was sentenced to thirty years without the possibility of parole.
Outside the courthouse, reporters swarmed the steps as Richard, Isabelle, Henry, and Leo walked down together.
A young reporter thrust a microphone toward Leo. "Leo! How does it feel to know you brought down one of the most powerful corporate executives in the city?"
Leo stopped, looking at the microphone, then looked up at his grandfather.
"I didn't bring anyone down," Leo said thoughtfully. "My granddad always told me that when people build things out of lies and greed, they're already falling. All I did was hold up a light so people could see the truth."
The reporters went quiet, impressed by the quiet depth of the young boy's answer.
Isabelle reached down, taking Leo’s hand into hers. Over the past year, she had come to love Leo as her own son. She helped him with his studies, took him to his first piano lessons, and made sure he felt the warmth of a complete, loving family.
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"Come on, Leo," Isabelle smiled softly. "Ethan is waiting for us at home. He just learned how to crawl today."
Leo’s eyes lit up. "He did?! I want to see!"
