Chapter 15
Inside Courtroom 402, the judge presided over the formal reading of the multi-page indictment.
Marcus and Richard sat at the defense table in their prison suits, flanked by court-appointed lawyers.
Across the room sat the federal prosecutor, with Victoria sitting quietly in the front row of the gallery.
The judge slammed his heavy wooden gavel down onto the desk, his voice echoing through the high-ceilinged room.
"Regarding defendants Marcus Vance and Richard Vance, bail is hereby denied," the judge ruled firmly.
"Given the severity of the RICO charges and the flight risk involved, you will remain in federal custody until trial."
Chloe, sitting two seats down at the defense table in her prison gown, let out a loud, shuddering sob.
"Your Honor, please!" Chloe wailed, standing up from her chair. "I didn't know anything about the financial fraud!"
"Sit down, Miss Davis!" the judge warned sternly, pointing his gavel at her.
"Your bail is set at two million dollars, subject to full financial audit of the source funds."
Chloe dropped back into her chair, realizing she had no way to raise two million dollars without Marcus's frozen money.
The marshals stepped forward, grabbing Marcus, Richard, and Chloe to escort them toward the holding cell doors.
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Marcus looked back at Victoria one last time, his eyes filled with a desperate, silent plea for mercy.
Victoria looked back at him with total indifference, her face as smooth and unreadable as marble.
