Chapter 8 - THE RECKONING
The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
When the foreperson stood up to read the verdicts, the tension in the courtroom was so thick it felt physical.
“On the count of conspiracy to commit grand theft by fraud... we find the defendant, Helena Margaret Ashford, guilty.” “On the count of witness tampering... we find the defendant, Helena Margaret Ashford, guilty.” “On the count of identity theft and corporate sabotage... we find the defendant, Julian Marcus Ashford, guilty.”
Guilty on all counts. Across the board.
Helena didn't cry. She simply closed her eyes, her face hardening into a mask of stone as the reality of her fate settled in. Julian buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with silent, terrified sobs.
Three weeks later, the sentencing hearing concluded. Due to the high-profile nature of the fraud and the blatant attempt to bribe a witness, the judge showed no mercy. Helena Ashford was sentenced to twelve years in a federal penitentiary. Julian Ashford received eight years. The corrupted lab technician was sentenced to five years.
The Ashford family empire was dismantled. The independent board of trustees liquidated the majority of the family’s luxury assets to pay off the massive civil fines, corporate lawsuits, and legal fees. The grand Newport Coast mansion was put on the auction block, its high glass windows destined to overlook the ocean for someone else.
As I walked out of the courthouse on the final day of the proceedings, the media swarm was massive, microphones thrust into my face from every direction.
“Claire! How do you feel about the sentence?” “Claire! Are you going to take Ethan back?” “Are you a multi-millionaire now, Claire?”
Maya stepped in front of the cameras, holding up her hands. “My client has no comment at this time. The justice system has spoken, and the truth has prevailed. Please respect her privacy as she focus on healing her family.”
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We pushed through the crowd into a waiting car, the doors slamming shut against the noise of the world.
I looked out the window as the car pulled away, seeing Ethan standing alone on the steps of the courthouse. He hadn't tried to approach me. He hadn't tried to talk to the media. He just stood there, watching my car disappear into the traffic, a solitary figure against the massive stone columns of the hall of justice.
