Chapter 8
A week later, the federal district court in downtown Manhattan was packed to capacity with reporters, legal observers, and financial analysts. The case of United States v. Evelyn and Marcus Vance dominated national news headlines across America.
Caleb sat in the front row of the spectator gallery, wearing his Class A military dress uniform adorned with service ribbons and medals. Sarah sat right beside him, wearing a classic navy blue dress and dark sunglasses to shield her healing face.
The federal judge, a stern-faced woman with decades of judicial experience, reviewed the massive evidentiary dossier submitted by military intelligence and federal prosecutors. The proof of financial extortion and physical battery was absolute and airtight.
The defense attorney stood up, desperately attempting a last-minute procedural motion. "Your Honor, the defense moves for a complete dismissal based on familial property rights and jurisdictional overlap between civil and military law."
The judge didn't even look up from her papers as she firmly dismissed the motion with a single wave of her hand. "Motion denied, Counselor. This court does not recognize family privilege as a legal defense for domestic terrorism and grand larceny."
May you like
A collective murmur rippled through the courtroom gallery as the judge prepared to read the verdict and final sentencing guidelines. Evelyn turned her head in the defendant's box, locking eyes with Caleb across the room with pure malice.
Caleb stared back with absolute, unblinking indifference, his face carved from granite. He didn't feel anger toward them anymore; he only felt the cold, clinical satisfaction of a mission successfully executed.
