Chapter 9 - The Verdict of the State
The jury took less than two hours to return their verdict. The foreperson stood up, a stack of formal documents in her hands, her expression dead serious as she looked at the defendants.
"On the count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, we find the defendant, Derek Vance... guilty," the foreperson read clearly. "On the count of aggravated identity theft, we find the defendant... guilty. On the count of interstate money laundering, we find the defendant... guilty."
A low, devastated moan escaped from Eleanor Vance in the back of the gallery, but Skylar didn't turn around to look at her. She kept her eyes fixed on the judge.
The foreperson turned to Suzanne. "On the count of conspiracy to engage in financial fraud and money laundering, we find the defendant, Suzanne Vance... guilty."
The federal judge, a stern woman with thirty years of judicial experience on the bench, ordered the defendants to stand for sentencing.
"Mr. Vance," the judge said, her voice dropping like an iron curtain over the courtroom. "Your behavior represents a level of calculating, narcissistic malice that this court rarely sees outside of organized crime syndicates. You didn't just betray your marriage vows; you systematically exploited your wife’s professional brilliance, using her name as a shield to commit high-level corporate theft across state lines. And when your fraud was challenged, you resorted to a heinous act of physical violence to maintain your control."
The judge leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Derek. "I sentence you to sixteen years in the federal penitentiary, followed by five years of supervised release. You will pay full restitution of $142,000 to Skylar Vance Administration, and your personal assets, including your luxury vehicle lease and your shared commercial accounts, are hereby forfeited to the United States government. Take them away."
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The bailiffs stepped forward, the heavy metallic click of the chains sounding through the room as Derek and Suzanne were escorted through the rear doors of the courthouse, entering a world where their polished smiles and manipulative charms meant absolutely nothing.
Skylar stood up from her chair, adjusted her jacket, and walked out into the bright, blinding Miami sunshine. The air felt incredibly fresh, the salt breeze from the ocean carrying the clean scent of a new beginning. She had stood at the fire, and instead of burning, she had turned into iron.
