Chapter 7 - The Mastermind's Rebellious MoveThe jury deliberated for less than forty-five minutes.
When they returned, the verdict was swift and relentless.
"On the charge of aggravated domestic assault: GUILTY." "On the charge of wire fraud and grand larceny: GUILTY." "On the charge of felony burglary and witness intimidation: GUILTY."
The judge, a stern woman named Justice Harris, looked down at Arthur over her spectacles.
"Mr. Vance, your conduct was not only criminal, but cowardly. You abused a woman who loved you, stole her heritage, and treated her like property. I sentence you to a total of twenty-two years in state penitentiary, without the possibility of parole for the first fifteen."
Arthur collapsed in his chair, blubbering like a child, begging for mercy.
Brooke tried to slip out of the courtroom unnoticed, but two federal marshals intercepted her at the exit.
"Brooke Vance?" the marshal said. "You're under arrest as an accessory to grand larceny and tax evasion."
She shrieked as they led her away in handcuffs, her dreams of a luxury salon dying on the cold marble floors of the courthouse.
Outside the courthouse, a swarm of reporters surrounded me, flashbulbs blinding the afternoon sky.
"Mrs. Vance! How does it feel to get justice?" "What will happen to Apex Capital?" "Do you have any words for your ex-husband?"
May you like
I stopped at the top of the stone steps, looking out over the city. I adjusted my coat, feeling light, untethered, and entirely free for the first time in my adult life.
"Arthur thought he married a victim," I told the microphones, my voice clear and resonating. "He found out he married the landlord. To every woman suffering in silence: don't just leave. Take back what's yours."
