News of Oliver Smith's arrest swept through Evans Village like a sudden storm. The young man who once held so much promise was now led away in handcuffs, shocking, saddening, and even subtly disgracing the villagers. For Isabelle LeBlanc, that night's knocking, while pulling her back from the edge of hell, also signaled the start of a deeper pain and a new trial.
The trial quickly followed in a nearby town. Oliver Smith faced consequences not only for his years of illegal gambling but also for the fatal construction site accident. Though the final investigation concluded he hadn't directly caused the accident—the worker's fall was more due to operational errors and insufficient safety measures—Oliver Smith's subsequent choices as a witness undeniably magnified his guilt. His flight was a disregard for life and an evasion of responsibility. His years of gambling addiction and moral decay ultimately led him to the abyss of attempting to traffic his loved one. All these were meticulously presented as evidence in court, mercilessly exposing the rot deep within his soul.
In court, Oliver Smith's face was ashen. His former vigor and youthful exuberance were long gone. Dressed in a prison uniform, his gaunt figure appeared exceptionally frail in the defendant's box. He hung his head, eyes vacant; his past arrogance and evasiveness were powerless against the ironclad evidence. He listened blankly as the judge solemnly and coldly read out his crimes and verdict. Each charge was like a sharp blade, piercing his already scarred heart.
Ultimately, the judge pronounced the sentence: Oliver Smith was found guilty of illegal gambling, attempted human trafficking, negligent homicide, and fleeing the scene related to the construction site accident years ago. He received a prison sentence for his combined offenses, a heavy and deserved price for all his crimes. When the gavel fell with a crisp, definitive sound, Oliver Smith seemed to lose all his strength, swaying precariously. Had it not been for the bailiff beside him, he would have collapsed to the floor.
Isabelle LeBlanc sat in the public gallery, silent tears streaming down her face. Watching the man she once deeply loved, now imprisoned and unrecognizable, her heart was a mix of emotions: pain, relief, sorrow, and endless nostalgia for their beautiful past. Their love, that pure affection that had bloomed in the golden wheat fields and was sworn under the old oak tree, was ultimately devoured by gambling and sin, leaving only cold despair and irreparable wounds. She knew that from this moment on, everything between them was irrevocably over.
After the trial, Isabelle LeBlanc didn't exchange a single word with Oliver Smith. She simply rose quietly and left the courtroom. The sunlight outside was dazzling, but she felt a chilling cold to her bones. Evans Village, the place that held all her beautiful first love and ultimate despair, had shattered her heart. She could no longer breathe there, no longer face those familiar yet painful sights.
Bearing deep scars and a complete despair for the relationship, Isabelle LeBlanc made a difficult decision: to leave Evans Village and return to her hometown. Her parents were there, along with familiar land, perhaps offering some solace and a chance to start anew.
With the support of her family, Isabelle LeBlanc began a long and arduous healing process. She was no longer the naive country girl; life's hardships had made her more mature and resilient. She numbed herself with work, using time to wash away the pain in her heart. She poured all her energy into learning and self-improvement, eventually choosing to become a rural teacher. With her knowledge and compassion, she brought warmth to simple, kind children like herself. She taught them to read and write, to understand the world, and to discern good from evil and protect themselves. Amidst the children's laughter, from her three-foot-high podium, Isabelle LeBlanc's spirit gradually found solace, and the shadows Oliver Smith had cast slowly dissipated.