The Trial Of Malcolm Cross
Chapter 15 - The Trial Of Malcolm Cross
Malcolm’s trial began eleven months after the party.
Charges included fraud, obstruction, trust manipulation, unlawful surveillance, financial theft, and conspiracy connected to Adrian’s crash. Prosecutors did not charge murder because intent remained disputed, but they charged reckless sabotage resulting in death.
The courtroom was smaller than the mansion terrace.
The consequences were larger.
Victor testified about the server-room device.
Rosa presented Samuel’s notebooks.
Engineers described Adrian’s planned exposure.
Mara explained the hidden heir clause.
Damon testified that Malcolm ordered him to block Ethan before midnight.
Malcolm watched his son from the defense table.
Damon’s voice shook but did not stop.
“He taught me that protecting the family meant protecting him.”
The prosecution played the access video.
Then Adrian’s flight data.
Then Malcolm’s transfer records.
Malcolm testified against legal advice.
He claimed he intended only to force an emergency landing and prevent Adrian from releasing company secrets. He said the crash haunted him every day.
Ethan listened from the gallery.
Haunting was not the same as accountability.
The jury convicted Malcolm on nearly every count.
Before sentencing, Malcolm asked to address Ethan.
The judge allowed a general statement.
“I kept Northstar alive for you,” Malcolm said.
Ethan did not respond.
The company had survived.
His parents had not.
Malcolm received a long prison sentence and was ordered to surrender assets obtained through the fraudulent trust.
Outside court, reporters asked Ethan whether he finally felt victorious.
“No.”
“What do you feel?”
He looked at the watch.
“Late.”
Justice had arrived.
May you like
It had missed Claire by months and Adrian by sixteen years.
That truth remained part of the verdict.
