Chapter 16 - The Assistant’s Final Recording
Marissa had worked for Celeste for seven years.
She knew the schedules, passwords, secret accounts, and private threats.
But fear kept her silent.
When she testified, Celeste’s attorney tried to portray her as a disgruntled employee who stole confidential mail.
“Did you open Lily Bennett’s package without permission?”
“Yes.”
“Did you intend to use it for personal advantage?”
“No.”
“Then why did you hide it?”
“Because I listened to the recording inside.”
The courtroom went quiet.
Marissa revealed she had copied one additional audio file before Graham captured her.
The file was played for the jury.
Celeste and Martin were speaking in Celeste’s study three nights before the restaurant dinner.
Martin warned that poisoning Adrian was too dangerous.
Celeste replied:
“He signs the employee trust on Friday. He dies Thursday night.”
Martin asked about Noah.
Celeste said:
“The hospital says Lily won’t survive the week. Once she’s gone, the boy will be easy to discredit.”
Then Martin asked whether Celeste regretted what happened to Daniel.
Her answer filled the courtroom.
“I regret that Lily survived the crash.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
Rosa gripped Noah’s hand in the protected witness room.
Celeste showed no emotion.
Marissa continued.
She described collecting Lily’s package, discovering the truth, and attempting to bring it to police.
She identified Graham as the man who kidnapped her.
The defense tried to claim the recording had been edited.
A forensic expert confirmed it was authentic.
Victor testified next.
He admitted adding the poison.
He described Celeste’s instructions and identified the vial.
Then Noah was called.
The judge allowed him to testify through a child-sensitive video system.
Noah sat with a stuffed bear beside him.
“What did you see in the alley?” the prosecutor asked.
“A lady in red gave the waiter a bottle.”
“Do you see that lady today?”
Noah pointed toward the screen.
Celeste stared back at him.
Her attorney rose.
“Isn’t it true Mr. Vale promised you a rich life if you told this story?”
Noah frowned.
“He promised me a home after I told the truth.”
The distinction silenced the courtroom.
Then the attorney asked why Noah had gone to the restaurant at all.
Noah opened his mother’s final letter.
“Because she told me my grandpa would believe me.”
Adrian lowered his head and wept.
But the defense had one last card.
They called Martin Shaw.
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And Martin had agreed to testify against Celeste in exchange for a reduced sentence.
👉 Martin was ready to betray Celeste—but his testimony would also force Adrian to hear the cruelest truth about Lily’s final years.
