Chapter 10 - THE FEDERAL GRAND JURY
The United States District Court in Lower Manhattan was packed to maximum capacity as the grand jury proceedings commenced. Hundreds of journalists lined the marble steps outside, their camera lenses tracking every high-profile witness entering the building.
Arthur arrived accompanied by a team of elite corporate attorneys, walking with absolute confidence through the gauntlet of flashing cameras. Inside Courtroom 302, the atmosphere was thick with tension as the lead federal prosecutor presented the primary evidence to twenty-three grand jurors.
On a large projection screen, high-resolution photographs showed the chemical analysis of the poisoned steak, the wire transfer logs, and the recovered satellite phone communications.
"Members of the grand jury," the prosecutor announced clearly, "the evidence demonstrates a sophisticated conspiracy to commit premeditated murder, corporate espionage, and high treason against a major defense contractor."
Victoria sat at the defense table in her orange jumpsuit, her head lowered as her legal team attempted to file emergency motions to suppress the electronic evidence. Beside her, Julian Vance sat in heavy wrist shackles, glaring bitterly at the woman who had dragged him into complete ruin.
The prosecutor turned toward the witness bench, calling his primary witness to the stand. "The government calls Special Agent Sarah Miller and her son, Leo Miller."
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A collective whisper swept through the courtroom gallery as seven-year-old Leo walked down the center aisle in his neat blue suit, holding his mother's hand with quiet strength.
Victoria snapped her head up, her eyes wide with terrifying fury as she watched the brave young boy take the witness stand to deliver the final testimony that would seal her fate forever.
