The Trial of Celeste Ward
Chapter 12 - The Trial of Celeste Ward
Celeste’s trial began nine months later.
Her attorneys portrayed her as a school administrator trapped inside crimes created by her father and uncle.
They emphasized her scholarships, fundraising, and public support for girls in science.
The prosecutor presented the red wax, the sabotage message, the forged deed, Rachel’s emails, and the demolition order timed before Aurelia’s return.
Noah testified about the red inspection tag.
Sophie testified about the stolen student software.
Marcus admitted his own role in dismissing Rachel’s research.
Samuel described waking without a name.
Evelyn testified last.
Celeste’s attorney asked why she accepted a custodial job at Halcyon if she believed the academy destroyed her family.
“To observe,” Evelyn said.
“You entered under false pretenses.”
“I completed every task assigned to me.”
“You collected evidence.”
“I cleaned offices where people left evidence in trash bins.”
The jury smiled.
The attorney displayed photographs of Evelyn near restricted files.
“Were you planning revenge?”
“No.”
“What were you planning?”
“To know whether the institution had changed.”
“Had it?”
Evelyn looked at Celeste.
“No.”
Celeste chose to testify.
She blamed Conrad for Rachel’s crash and Arthur for Samuel’s disappearance. She admitted hiding the red envelope but claimed she feared forged evidence.
The prosecutor played a recovered audio file from her office.
Celeste’s voice said:
If Hart’s map opens the room, destroy the telescope before the comet completes the proof.
Her calm disappeared.
During sentencing, Celeste addressed Noah.
“Your mother endangered everyone at Halcyon by threatening national security contracts.”
Noah replied from the gallery before the judge stopped him.
“She endangered your story.”
Celeste was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to decades in prison.
Conrad received a reduced sentence for cooperation.
Arthur’s remains were exhumed. Toxicology confirmed medication poisoning. Celeste faced an additional trial.
Outside court, reporters asked Evelyn whether justice restored her career.
May you like
She looked at Samuel beside her and Noah holding Rachel’s notebook.
“No,” she said. “Justice is not a time machine. It is a warning label.”
