Chapter 22
The summer months passed in a beautiful blur of sunshine, laughter, and restorative peace for the Sterling family.
Emma had successfully overseen the distribution of five million dollars in grants to local NYC shelters.
Ethan’s nightmares had ceased completely, replaced by his love for soccer and building complex architectural models.
The legal trials for Victoria Sterling-Lenz and Julian Vance were set to begin in the Supreme Court of New York in November.
Both defendants were being held without bail at the Metropolitan Correctional Center downtown.
The prosecution’s case was airtight, built on Emma’s recorded confession, financial ledgers, and forensic DNA evidence.
It seemed as though justice was about to be served in the most absolute, satisfying way possible.
On a crisp October evening, Emma sat at her mahogany desk in Sterling Tower, reviewing final legal briefs with Marcus.
The sun was setting over the Hudson River, painting the Manhattan skyline in brilliant shades of orange and pink.
“The District Attorney expects a full guilty verdict on all counts within three days of trial, Emma,” Marcus reported.
“That’s wonderful news, Marcus,” Emma said, closing her leather notebook with a deep sense of accomplishment.
“You’ve done an incredible job securing the family, Marcus. We can all finally breathe easy.”
Marcus smiled, adjusting his tie before turning to leave her private executive office.
Just as he reached the door, Emma’s desk phone began to ring with an urgent intercom signal from the ground lobby.
May you like
Emma picked up the receiver, pressing the speaker button.
“Miss Torres,” the security guard’s voice sounded rushed and frantic. “There’s a package here for you from the state court.”
