Chapter 9 - The Final VerdictTwo weeks later, the jury returned after a mere two hours of deliberation.
The media frenzy reached a fever pitch outside the courthouse. Millions of people tuned into live streams worldwide, waiting for the final gavel.
Derek sat at the defense table, flanked by two armed guards, looking like a ghost of his former self. His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights in solitary confinement. He hadn't spoken a word in days.
Judge Harrison entered, his expression stern and unyielding.
"On the first count of Aggravated Felony Assault resulting in permanent disfigurement, how does the jury find the defendant?" the clerk asked.
"Guilty, Your Honor," the foreperson announced clearly.
"On the second count of Corporate Identity Theft and Grand Larceny in the First Degree, how does the jury find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On the third count of Conspiracy to Commit Extortion and Intimidation, how does the jury find the defendant?"
"Guilty on all charges."
Judge Harrison clasped his hands together, looking down at Derek with absolute disdain.
"Mr. Evans, in my thirty years on the bench, I have rarely encountered a human being so devoid of empathy, so parasitic in nature, and so maliciously violent toward someone who provided you with everything you had," Judge Harrison said, his voice ringing like thunder in the courtroom. "You thought control was your birthright. You thought you could break a human spirit and walk away unscathed. You were entirely, catastrophically wrong."
The judge leaned forward.
"I hereby sentence you to Twenty-Five Years to Life in state prison, with no possibility of parole for the first twenty years. Furthermore, all remaining assets in your possession, along with any future literary, media, or interview rights pertaining to this case, are hereby seized and awarded entirely to the victim, Skylar Evans, as restitution."
Gavel down. Bang.
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Derek slumped forward onto the mahogany table, letting out a hollow, broken sob that sounded more like an animal whimpering in a trap. His life, his status, his money, and his freedom were gone forever.
Chloe was sentenced to seven years in a federal penitentiary shortly after for her role in the grand larceny conspiracy.
