Chapter 8 - The Sentencing
The courtroom was packed on the day of the final sentencing. The story of the "Freelance Designer Who Took Down Her Corrupt Executive Husband" had hit the local business news, drawing a crowd of reporters.
The judge, a stern woman with decades of experience, looked down from her bench at Daniel and Vanessa.
"In my thirty years on the bench, I have rarely seen such a disgusting display of domestic abuse coupled with naked, unadulterated greed," the Judge said, her voice booming through the courtroom. "Mr. Vance, you treated your wife like an object to be coerced and exploited. Ms. Vance, you encouraged violence for your own material gain."
The judge slammed her gavel.
"Daniel Vance, I sentence you to twelve years in federal prison with no possibility of parole, followed by full financial restitution of nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Vanessa Vance, for your role in the conspiracy and laundering, you are sentenced to five years in federal prison."
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Vanessa screamed, burying her face in her hands. Daniel sat frozen, staring at the floor as the guards stepped forward to take them away.
Claire sat in the front row. She closed her eyes, taking a deep, long breath. The heavy weight that had rested on her shoulders for nearly a decade was finally lifted.
