The afternoon sunlight fell across Grandview Central Park in broad sheets of warm gold, filtering through the branches of ancient oaks whose leaves drifted lazily toward the stone promenades. Along the wide gravel walkways surrounding the lake, families pushed strollers, retirees sat beside chess tables, and the sound of children laughing echoed over the water.
Walking along the paved terrace near the conservatory, Ada Sterling held Ethan hand with both of hers, swinging their joined arms with energetic rhythm. She wore the dark navy blazer and pleated woolen skirt of St. Jude Preparatory Academy, the brass crest of the historic school shining against her lapel.
Her enrollment that morning had not been secured through the vulgar pressure tactics or backdoor political favors that defined
