Chapter 9 - The Reckoning
Two weeks later, the District Court of the State was packed to capacity. Flashbulbs blinded the steps outside as media outlets fought for a glimpse of the trial of the year.
Inside the courtroom, Victoria sat at the defense table. The high-end designer clothes, the perfect blonde blowout, and the arrogant smirk were entirely gone. She wore a standard orange jumpsuit, her hair pulled back into a messy bun, her face pale and sunken from days spent in solitary confinement.
The judge’s gavel struck the wood with a resounding thud.
"In the case of The State versus Victoria Sterling, on the charges of attempted premeditated murder in the first degree, industrial espionage, and financial fraud, this court finds the defendant..."
Victoria closed her eyes, her fingernails digging deep into her palms until they drew blood.
"...Guilty on all counts."
A collective murmur rippled through the gallery.
"For the attempted murder of a minor, the court sentences the defendant to twenty-five years to life at Bedford Hills Maximum Security Correctional Facility, with no possibility of parole for the first twenty years."
Bang.
The gavel struck again. The finality of the sound felt like a guillotine dropping.
Two bailiffs stepped forward, grabbing Victoria by the arms and jerking her to her feet. As they hauled her away toward the side exit, her eyes swept across the courtroom gallery. Sitting in the front row, completely calm and composed, was Julian Vance. Beside him, holding little Leo in a soft blue blanket, was Clara.
May you like
Victoria locked eyes with Julian for one final, agonizing second. Her lips parted in a silent, desperate plea, but no sound came out. Julian didn't flinch, didn't smile, and didn't look away. He simply stared at her with absolute, chilling indifference—the look of a titan dismissing a speck of dust from his shoe.
The heavy steel doors closed behind her, sealing her fate forever. The nightmare was officially over.
