Chapter 9 - The Handcuff VerdictSix months after the wedding disaster, the criminal trial concluded at the federal courthouse downtown.
The jury deliberated for less than twenty minutes before returning a verdict: GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS.
Judge Margaret Thomas delivered a scathing speech from the bench before pronouncing sentence.
âDerek Cole,â Judge Thomas declared, her voice echoing like thunder through the silent courtroom. âYour actions demonstrate a chilling level of greed, narcissism, and calculated deceit. You exploited the trust of a loyal spouse, stole from your corporate partners, and attempted to publicly destroy an innocent life for your own ego.â
She slammed her gavel down with an echoing crack.
âI sentence you to twenty-four years in federal prison, with full financial restitution ordered to Crownville Global Holdings.â
Derek collapsed forward onto the defense table, crying uncontrollably as federal marshals pulled him up and led him away through the heavy steel side door in heavy iron chains.
Miranda sat in the front row of the gallery, wearing a sharp navy suit.
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She let out a long, quiet breath, felt the quiet peace settle into her heart, and stood up.
The nightmare was officially over.
