Chapter 5 - The Fall of the Sandoval Group
The courtroom was packed to capacity for the sentencing of Diego Sandoval.
The defense had tried every trick in the book. They had pleaded for probation, pointing to Diego’s clean record and his family’s historic philanthropic contributions to the city. But the prosecution, armed with Natalie’s testimony and the forensic financial reports proving Diego had systematically stolen from his wife’s business accounts, remained unyielding.
"Diego Sandoval," the judge said, her voice echoing in the solemn room. "You stood in a room filled with twenty of your closest relatives, including children, and you violently assaulted your wife because she dared to say 'no' to your family’s greed. You did not show remorse. Instead, you tried to manipulate the legal system and destroy her character to save your own skin."
Diego sat at the defense table, his head bowed, his hands clenching the fabric of his cheap suit. He had spent his last dollar on his defense, and it had bought him nothing.
"For the count of felony second-degree assault, I sentence you to four years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, with no possibility of early parole. Furthermore, you are ordered to pay three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in restitution to Valerie for financial fraud and emotional distress."
As the bailiffs stepped forward to lead Diego away, Victoria let out a loud, dramatic wail from the gallery, collapsing into her husband’s arms. But Arthur looked like a ghost, his eyes hollow as he realized that the Sandoval Group was officially bankrupt, their assets frozen, and their name permanently ruined.
Valerie stood up, her hand held securely by Natalie, who stood beside her. They walked out of the courtroom together, the flashing lights of the reporters’ cameras reflecting off the clean, polished glass of the courthouse doors.
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"We did it," Natalie whispered, a tear of relief escaping her eye. "It’s finally over."
"No," Valerie smiled, looking out at the beautiful Denver skyline. "It’s not over. It’s just the beginning."
