Chapter 9 - The Reckoning at Sunrise
Spring arrived with a sudden explosion of wildflowers across the Hudson Valley meadows, melting the winter snow into rushing streams of crystal-clear water.
Inside the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan, the trial of the century reached its final day.
Luca Reed and Vivian Romano sat at the defendant's table, pale, broken, and surrounded by high-priced defense attorneys who looked thoroughly defeated. The evidence presented by federal prosecutors—backed by the ironclad digital archives provided by the Moretti syndicate—was overwhelming.
Judge Thomas Vance adjusted his glasses, looking down from his mahogany bench at the disgraced conspirators.
"The jury has returned a unanimous verdict," Judge Vance announced, his voice echoing through the silent courtroom. "On all counts of corporate fraud, conspiracy to commit murder, and racketeering... the defendants are found guilty."
The gavel came down with a sharp, final crack.
Forty years to life without the possibility of parole.
Vivian buried her face in her hands and wept hysterically as federal marshals handcuffed them both and led them away through the heavy oak doors, disappearing down into the subterranean holding cells.
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Up in the gallery, watching quietly from the back row, Alessandro Moretti adjusted his black coat, turned around, and walked out into the bright spring sunlight.
The war was over. The traitors were caged. The empire was clean.
