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HE PUSHED HIS PREGNANT WIFE OFF A CLIFF FOR A FIFTY-MILLION-DOLLAR POLICY — HE NEVER EXPECTED HER RESCUER TO HOLD THE POWER TO DESTROY HIM / Chapter 7 / 8

Chapter 7 - THE VERDICT AND THE FALL

Guilty on All CountsThe buzzer echoed through the courtroom at 4:15 PM. The media gallery leaned forward as the jury foreman stood up, holding a crisp white envelope.

"In the case of The State of Colorado versus Derek James Holt," the foreman read clearly, "how do you find the defendant on Count One: Attempted First-Degree Murder?"

"Guilty," the foreman said.

"Count Two: Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud?"

"Guilty."

"Count Three: Child Endangerment and Malicious Injury to a Fetus?"

"Guilty."

Derek slumped forward, his head hitting the mahogany defense table with a dull thud. He didn't cry. He didn't shout. He simply dissolved into a puddle of absolute, crushing defeat as the federal marshals stepped up behind him, clicking heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists once more.

"Derek James Holt," Judge Harrison’s voice boomed across the silent courtroom, "you are hereby sentenced to consecutive terms totaling life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for forty years. May God have mercy on your soul—because neither this court nor the family you tried to destroy ever will."

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