Chapter 8 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
When they returned, the tension in the room was suffocating. The judge looked down at the defendants. "Will the defendants please stand."
Victoria and Ethan stood up. Ethan was shaking so violently he had to lean against the table for support. Victoria held her head high, a final, pathetic attempt to maintain her dignity.
"On the count of attempted first-degree murder, how do you find?"
"Guilty," the jury foreperson announced.
"On the count of conspiracy to commit federal insurance fraud, how do you find?"
"Guilty."
"On the count of grand larceny and corporate embezzlement, how do you find?"
"Guilty."
The judge slammed his gavel down, the sound echoing like a death knell. "Victoria Montgomery, Ethan Montgomery, for your heinous crimes, your utter disregard for human life, and your massive financial corruption, you are hereby sentenced to life in federal prison without the possibility of parole."
Ethan collapsed into his chair, sobbing hysterically. Victoria turned her head slowly, looking across the courtroom at Emily.
Emily didn't smile. She didn't gloat. She simply raised her chin, meeting the gaze of the woman who had tried to suffocate her.
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"Some women are born to inherit silver dinnerware," Emily whispered softly, quoting the very words Victoria had used to humiliate her. "And some are born to wash it away entirely."
Victoria was led out of the courtroom in heavy chains, her empire gone, her name ruined, and her freedom lost forever.
