Winning Her Heart Back

Chapter 902 The End of Their Road 18

Once the case was officially filed, the police moved into the investigation phase.

Because of the time that had passed and the hidden methods of the suspects, the investigation was extremely difficult to carry out.

Thankfully, Emelie and Wesley had already gathered a considerable amount of evidence over the past three years. Once they handed it over to the police, it greatly reduced the workload for the authorities.

It was now May of the following year. Yes, it had taken the police an entire year to announce the end of the investigation and submit the case to the court. Two weeks later, the court accepted the case and made it public. The two cases were tried on consecutive days, with all individuals involved being summoned to court.

Of course, Henry and Kaden, who had both passed away, couldn't attend. Maverick and Caleb, who had been hiding abroad, were captured and brought back to Cedonia.

Another person who was absent was William.

During the police investigation, Beathan had indeed dragged William down with him. He exposed that William had once shot and injured Emelie.

After an investigation, the police confirmed the claim and decided to arrest William for intentional harm.

However, William was receiving treatment for his lungs in Mercianna at the time, so he applied for bail.

When the court convened, he was unable to attend in person due to his health, and his lawyer represented him in court.

Yennifer flew in from Mercianna to Capebatt City to testify as a key witness in the Xander case.

Emelie and Greta testified in the "Second Generation Case", which was a name given by the public to refer to the crimes committed by the second generation people of the Middleton, Davis, Swanson, and Collins families.

As the trial was public, viewers could watch a live stream on the court's website. At one point, online attendance exceeded ten million people. This showed how many people were still paying close attention to the case, even a year later. It was no exaggeration to call it the most high-profile case in recent years.

Both trials lasted more than eight hours.

Finally, the verdict was announced.

In the Xander case, Maverick and Caleb were sentenced to life imprisonment, with permanent revocation of their political rights.

These two men who were nearing 60 had evaded justice for 29 years, only to end up in prison.

In the "Second Generation Case", Beathan was convicted of intentional harm, intentional murder, attempted murder, bribery, illegal detention, incitement to commit crimes, endangering public safety, transnational crime, and organizing, leading, and participating in a terrorist organization.

He was sentenced to death and had his political rights revoked for life.

Beathan wasn't surprised when he heard the verdict. Being a lawyer, he had already anticipated his fate.

He glanced to his left, where Ashley was seated.

There were no plaintiffs in criminal cases, as the People's Procuratorate brought forward the prosecution on behalf of the state. Emelie's role in the case was as a key witness. Ashley was present to file a civil lawsuit on Emelie's behalf.

Ashley, a lawyer, was seen dressed in formal attire, a red scarf, and a long black robe. She had tied her hair back, making her look intelligent, sharp, and efficient.

In a daze, Beathan felt as though he had gone back ten years. The first time he saw her was during the freshman mock trial organized by the law department. She had captivated him from the very first glance.Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

And then he became obsessed.

And now, he had become the villain, the one everyone wanted see punished.

Beathan let out a bitter smile. He had nothing left to say.

...

Charles was convicted of conspiracy, attempted crime, and harboring criminals.

However, the court took into account that he had actively helped the victim, Emelie, avoid harm from Beathan and that he didn't directly participate in Beathan's crimes. As a result, his sentence was lightened.

Charles was also implicated

Edward's suicide.

The court found that Charles' pressure on Edward was an indirect cause of his suicide, so he was sentenced three years in prison. After adding up his other crimes, the court decided on a six-year sentence.

On top of that, he still had time to serve his previous sentence for embezzlement, meaning he would spend a total of nine years in prison.

Charles thought to himself that when he was released, his daughter would already be in middle school. How could Emmie wait for him for ten years?

Throughout the day, he looked repeatedly at the jury, but he couldn't spot her in the crowd.

How unfortunate that they were destined to be apart.

Bryan wasn't found guilty of any direct criminal acts.

Charles and Beathan had distrusted him, often leaving him out of their plans to harm Emelie. As a result, he couldn't even be considered an accomplice.

In the end, Bryan was fined and given a written warning before being released after the trial.

In fact, Bryan was no longer a CEO.

He had sold off Swanson Corporation, which was struggling to survive, a year ago. Though a dying camel was larger than a horse, and Swanson Corporation had fetched a good price, Bryan had used a third of the money to compensate the families of the victims of the explosion, even though he had already legally compensated them

once.

He, too, was a victim, manipulated by Beathan in the Xander and Second Generation cases to drive a wedge between Emelie and Wesley. Though the law couldn't touch him, Bryan had benefited from the wealth his father gained by persecuting the Pierce family. It was only right that he made reparations.

He gave another third of the money to Emelie, who then donated it all to the Soar Foundation, the charity that she had originally founded with Charles.

Though it had been set up as part of a scheme, it still operated to this day and had even won a provincial award a year ago.

As the bailiff unlocked Bryan's handcuffs, he glanced at the jury.

He was luckier than Charles.

He then spotted Patrice wearing a red dress in the crowd.

William's situation was similar 1 Bryan's. He, too, hadn't been part of the conspiracy.

There was clear evidence of his crime of intentional harm. However, since he had received Emelie's forgiveness,

helped the police solve the Beathan case, and his actions had been somewhat justified given the circumstances, the court showed leniency.

William was sentenced to three years in prison, with a one-year suspension.

All the defendants pleaded guilty and did not appeal. Both cases had finally come to a close.

The trials spanned 29 years, and even counting from when the cases were reopened, a year and one month had passed. At last, there was a resolution.

Among those present in court were Emelie's friends. After the verdict, they all spontaneously began to applaud. Their applaud was for justice but also for Emelie, who had finally seen her long-cherished wish fulfilled.

Emelie felt a sense of relief.

Mona called for a celebratory meal, and Lyle suggested they go to his newly opened restaurant.

Yennifer, who was supporting Greta, said that they should go somewhere more proper. She feared that the younger crowd might opt for a place like Westward Club. Although she didn't mind, she worried that Greta wouldn't be able to handle it.

Elias promised that it would be a respectable restaurant, one where he had performed before. Otherwise, Ashley would never forgive him.

Jayden was about to arrange for transportation, but Emelie said, "Let's eat together tomorrow. Everyone's tired after listening to more than ten hours of trial over the last two days.

"Let's rest first. Tomorrow, it'll be my treat. Eli, Ash, please take my mom back to Alderbrook."

"What about you?"

Emelie smiled softly. "I'd like to be alone for a while to calm my thoughts."

Everyone was momentarily stunned, but they quickly understood.

The heavy burden she had carried for so many years was finally lifted. Even though she had mentally prepared

herself, it was hard not to feel a mix of emotions when the moment finally arrived.

Mona suddenly felt anxious and asked, "Where will you go? Make sure to be careful!"

"I will." Emelie nodded to everyone before turning and pushing open the heavy courthouse doors.

Bright light flooded in and enveloped her. She stepped forward into the sunlight.

She wasn't sure how to express the countless trials and tribulations she had endured along the way.

Emelie exited through a private path to avoid the waiting media and crowds. Alone, she walked along the quiet streets of Capebatt City.

In May, Capebatt City was bright and sunny. The light filtered through the branches of the plane trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. She stepped on those shadows and felt a bit warm.

As she walked, she took off her coat and casually tossed it into the air.

She looked up at it soaring, and just then, memories from the past years flashed through her mind. Suddenly, she

felt a lump in her throat.

Just as her tears were about to fall, she heard a soft voice calling her name. "Angel."