The federal courtroom was packed to maximum capacity. Reporters sat in the front rows, their pens flying across notebooks as the judge stepped up to the bench.
Julian sat at the defense table in an orange prison jumpsuit, his neck bandaged where the paramedics had inserted breathing tubes. Beside him sat Richard Vance, wearing the same orange uniform, his face pale and sunken.
Judge: Case number 4092, the State versus Richard Vance and Julian Vance. Charges include attempted murder, grand larceny, and corporate fraud.
Prosecutor: The prosecution calls Claire Sterling to the stand.
Claire stood up from her seat, wearing a sharp navy blue suit, her hair pulled back neatly. She walked up to the witness stand with steady steps, taking the oath without hesitation.
Prosecutor: Miss Sterling, please tell the court what happened on the afternoon of June 12th.
Claire: It was supposed to be my wedding day. I was standing in front of four hundred guests, cutting a cake with the man I thought loved me.
She looked directly at Julian, whose eyes dropped to the floor in shame.
Claire: But thanks to the bravery of Maya Miller, I discovered that my groom had placed a lethal compound into the cake to collect my ten-million-dollar inheritance.
Defense Lawyer: Objection, Your Honor! My client was under severe duress from Mr. Richard Vance!
Judge: Overruled. The witness will continue.
Claire: Julian knew exactly what he was doing. He watched me lift that fork to my mouth. He smiled at me right before I was supposed to eat it.
Prosecutor: And what did you do when you discovered the truth?
Claire: I slapped him across the face, fed him his own poison, and handed him over to the police.
The courtroom erupted into quiet murmurs as the prosecutor turned to the jury.
Prosecutor: We have submitted video evidence, toxicology reports, and signed bank transfers confirming the defendants' full guilt.
Judge: Defendants, stand up for sentencing.
Richard and Julian slowly stood up, their hands cuffed behind their backs.
Judge: Richard Vance, for your role in planning this heinous crime and orchestrating massive corporate fraud, I sentence you to thirty years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.
Richard slumped into his chair, groaning in total defeat.
Judge: Julian Vance, for attempted murder and conspiracy, I sentence you to twenty-two years in state custody.
Julian began to weep softly, turning his head toward Claire as the bailiffs led him toward the side exit.
Julian: Claire... I'm sorry... please forgive me...
Claire didn't say a word. She simply watched him walk away into the dark holding corridor until the heavy steel doors slammed shut behind him.