Chapter 9 - THE BAIL HEARING DISASTER
At eleven o'clock, Julian stood before the judge inside the Manhattan Criminal Court, wearing an orange correctional jumpsuit.
His high-priced defense attorney leaned over, whispering assurances that the judge would grant a low bail amount.
"Your Honor, my client is a respected business owner with deep ties to the community," the attorney argued smoothly.
District Attorney Rachel Vance—Sierra's cousin—stepped up to the prosecutor's podium, holding a thick legal folder.
"Your Honor, the state requests bail be set at ten million dollars," Rachel declared, her voice ringing across the silent court.
"The defendant showed shocking cruelty toward a young child and attempted to destroy surveillance evidence," she explained.
Victoria sat in the front row of the gallery, her white hair perfectly styled in a high bun as she glared at Rachel.
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Judge Harold Vance—unrelated, but famously tough on domestic abuse—slammed his wooden gavel onto the bench with thunderous force.
"Bail is set at fifteen million dollars!" the judge ruled sternly. "The defendant will surrender his passport immediately!"
