Chapter 8 - The Trial
Victor Kane’s trial began fourteen months after Lily knocked on my door.
By then, Claire no longer worked as housemaid. She attended nursing school full-time through the Moretti Education Fund available to all employees and their families. She and Lily lived in a small cottage near estate but not inside secure wing. Their choice.
I had returned as CEO after monitors cleared current leadership and board voted.
Moretti Holdings adopted reforms: independent compliance, external cybersecurity, employee reporting channels, separation of family and operational control.
Matteo stepped down as chairman voluntarily.
“I spent too long protecting Dominic,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because I loved him.”
“Bad reason.”
“I know now.”
He became grandfatherly to Lily.
She called him “Old Matteo.”
He pretended offense.
At trial, Claire testified for two days.
Victor stared at her.
She shook first morning.
Then not.
Prosecutor asked why she copied records.
“Because people disappeared and everyone acted like asking questions was dangerous.”
“Were you afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Why testify?”
Claire looked at jury.
“Because being afraid for years did not make me safer.”
I will remember that sentence forever.
Victor’s defense attacked her credibility.
Former employee.
False names.
Stolen documents.
They implied she manipulated me to gain protection.
My anger rose from gallery.
Daniel whispered, “Breathe.”
I hated him.
Claire handled it.
“Yes, I used different surname.”
“Why?”
“To hide from Victor.”
“You stole confidential files.”
“Yes.”
“Why should jury trust a thief?”
Claire looked at attorney.
“Because I brought the files instead of asking you to trust my memory.”
Perfect.
Victor was convicted on conspiracy, racketeering, bribery, cyber intrusion, witness intimidation, extortion, and financial crimes.
Not Gabriel’s murder.
Because truth did not support it.
That mattered.
Sentence: forty-two years.
He would likely die in prison.
At sentencing, Victor looked at me once.
No smile.
No threat.
Just old man suddenly.
I felt nothing.
That surprised me.
After court, Claire stood on courthouse steps.
Reporters called.
She ignored them.
Lily ran into her arms.
I stayed back.
Then Lily shouted, “Mr. A!”
Every camera turned.
Wonderful.
I walked over.
She grabbed my hand.
Media photograph went everywhere.
Headline:
MORETTI TYCOON LEAVES KANE TRIAL HOLDING WITNESS CHILD’S HAND.
Ridiculous.
But something changed publicly.
People who knew me as feared logistics king now saw me kneeling for a little girl.
I did not mind.
Then rumors about Claire and me began.
We had not even kissed.
Daniel said, “Congratulations. You are scandalized without benefit.”
“Thank you.”
Claire laughed.
Then became serious.
“I don’t want Lily becoming gossip.”
“Agreed.”
We increased privacy.
Months passed.
Case fully closed.
Claire graduated first year.
One evening, she came to my office.
“I’m moving.”
My chest tightened.
“Where?”
“Apartment in Evanston.”
“Why?”
“I need normal.”
I understood.
“Security?”
“Daniel arranged discreet.”
“You asked him?”
“Yes.”
Good.
“You don’t need estate.”
“No.”
I looked at her.
Something I wanted to say pressed against throat.
Do not.
She was still rebuilding.
I said, “I’ll miss Lily.”
Claire smiled faintly.
“Only Lily?”
Dangerous.
I met her eyes.
“No.”
Silence.
Then she said, “Good.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I was starting to think I imagined it.”
“Imagined what?”
“You looking at me like you want to say something and then remembering twelve ethical reasons not to.”
I laughed.
“Only twelve?”
“Maybe fifteen.”
“What now?”
“Now I’m not your employee. The case is over. I’m moving away from your house. And I’m asking.”
“Asking what?”
“If you want to have dinner.”
I stared.
“You’re asking me?”
“Yes.”
“You’re very brave.”
“I testified against Victor Kane.”
“Fair.”
“When?”
I thought.
“Friday.”
She smiled.
“Friday.”
Our first date was a disaster.
Restaurant fire alarm.
Rain.
Lily’s babysitter canceled halfway through dessert.
May you like
We ended eating takeout at Claire’s apartment while Lily slept.
Best date of my life.
