Chapter 6 - The Fall of the House of CarterThe verdict was swift, brutal, and historic.
The jury deliberated for a mere thirty-four minutes—just long enough to review the digital audit trails and the medical records.
When the foreman stood up, the courtroom held its collective breath.
"On the count of aggravated domestic assault and attempted manslaughter: Guilty," the foreman declared, looking directly at Linda Carter, who let out a sharp, choked sob and slumped forward into her husband’s shoulder. "On the count of conspiracy to conceal felonies and corporate embezzlement: Guilty," he continued, looking at Robert Carter.
Finally, he turned his gaze to Ethan. "And on the count of depraved indifference, willful endangerment, and spousal abuse: Guilty."
Judge Harrison didn't waste a single heartbeat before delivering the sentences.
"Linda Carter, you are hereby sentenced to twenty-five years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Robert Carter, twenty years. And Ethan Carter..." The judge’s eyes narrowed into slits of pure ice. "For orchestrating and enabling a systematic campaign of domestic terror while looting municipal funds, you are sentenced to thirty years behind bars. Furthermore, all assets, properties, and corporate shares belonging to the Carter family are hereby seized by the federal government and awarded in full restitution to Mrs. Elena Carter."
The gavel came down with a sound like a gunshot.
BANG!
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Ethan leaped out of his chair, screaming in blind panic as federal marshals swarmed the defense table, grabbing him by the shoulders and forcing him down. "Elena! Wait! Please! We can talk about this! We're husband and wife! Elena—!"
Elena didn't even turn around. She stood tall on her crutches, watching the men who had once looked down upon her from their ivory tower get dragged away in cold steel chains.
