Chapter 9 - The Final ReckoningThe jury deliberated for less than three hours.
When they returned to the courtroom, the verdicts were read with brutal, swift, and absolute finality: GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS.
The judge, a stern woman known for her zero-tolerance stance on domestic abuse and corporate corruption, delivered a scathing speech from the bench before pronouncing sentence.
âAdrian Vale,â the judge stated, her voice cold as ice. âYou used your wealth, power, and physical strength to terrorize, abuse, and attempt to frame an innocent woman, while profiting off the illegal imprisonment of your own sister. I sentence you to forty-five years in federal prison, without the possibility of parole.â
Adrian collapsed into his chair, his head buried in his hands, weeping without sound.
âCeleste Vale,â the judge continued, turning to his mother. âFor your masterminding of the conspiracy, human trafficking, and corporate embezzlement, you are sentenced to thirty-five years in federal prison.â
Celeste let out a strangled shriek as federal marshals stepped forward, snapping heavy iron chains around her wrists and ankles.
As they were led away through the heavy side door, Adrian turned his head, looking at me with wild, pleading eyes.
May you like
âEvelyn! Please!â he screamed as the iron doors began to close. âI love you!â
I didn't answer him. I didn't smile. I simply turned my back and walked out into the sunlight.
