Chapter 9 - THE VERDICT
The jury was sequestered for less than four hours before announcing they had reached a final verdict.
The tension in the massive courtroom was so thick it felt difficult to breathe.
I sat in the front row of the gallery, my hands folded calmly in my lap.
Marcus stood up to face the jury, his expensive suit looking entirely too big for his suddenly shrinking frame.
The jury foreman stood up and read the decision with a clear, unwavering voice.
"On the charge of massive wire fraud, we find the defendant completely guilty."
"On the charge of corporate embezzlement, we find the defendant guilty."
"On the charge of forging federal financial documents, we find the defendant guilty."
With every single guilty verdict, Marcus seemed to physically collapse further into himself.
The judge did not offer an ounce of mercy during the formal sentencing phase.
"Marcus Vance, you have shown absolutely zero remorse for destroying the lives of your employees and your own wife," the judge stated sternly.
"You let your arrogance and greed blind you to the basic rules of a civilized society."
"I am sentencing you to twenty-five years in a federal penitentiary, without the possibility of early parole."
The heavy gavel slammed down with a resounding, final crack.
The armed bailiffs immediately moved in, placing heavy metal handcuffs on Marcus's wrists.
As they led him toward the side exit of the courtroom, he stopped and looked directly at me one last time.
There was no more arrogance, no more cruel laughter, and no more smug satisfaction.
There was only sheer, unadulterated terror in his eyes.
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I did not smile, and I did not gloat.
I simply turned my back on him and walked out of the courtroom, leaving him in the past where he belonged.
