Chapter 16 - THE COURTROOM SHOWDOWN
While Arthur and Sarah fought for survival in Zurich, the high-stakes federal trial of Victoria Montgomery reached its dramatic climax in Manhattan. The courtroom was packed with international media as the defense attorney delivered his closing arguments.
"My client was a victim of psychological manipulation by foreign actors!" the attorney declared passionately to the jury. "She was coerced into her actions under threat of violence!"
The lead prosecutor stood up, calmly adjusting his glasses as he walked toward the jury box. "Ladies and gentlemen, the defense wants you to believe Victoria Montgomery was a helpless victim."
He pressed a button on his remote, activating the courtroom monitors to display a clear video recording sent from Zurich just hours earlier.
The video showed Victoria sitting in a luxury café in Paris two years ago, personally receiving a ten-million-dollar wire transfer from a foreign intelligence operative.
The gallery erupted into chaotic gasps as Victoria jumped up from her seat, screaming obscenities at her own defense team.
"Order in the court!" the judge shouted, slamming his gavel repeatedly onto the wooden block.
The jury deliberated for less than thirty minutes before returning to the courtroom with a unanimous verdict.
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"On the count of attempted premeditated murder, we find the defendant guilty," the jury foreperson announced clearly. "On the count of high treason, we find the defendant guilty."
Victoria collapsed into her chair, sobbing hysterically as federal marshals put heavy leg irons on her ankles to lead her away to a maximum-security federal penitentiary for life.
