Chapter 16 - The Verdict and the Sentence
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a unanimous guilty verdict on twenty-four federal counts.
The presiding judge slammed his gavel down, his face stern as he delivered the final sentences.
"Evelyn Sterling, you manipulated your own family to aid an international criminal syndicate," the judge stated harshly.
"I sentence you to twenty-five years in a federal maximum-security facility without parole," he declared.
Tessa was sentenced to fifteen years for felony child abuse and conspiracy, while Victor received life imprisonment.
As the marshals led Evelyn away in chains, she stopped briefly near Mark's seat in the gallery.
"Mark... please... she's my granddaughter," Evelyn whimpered, her voice cracked and pathetic.
Mark stood up, looking at his mother with absolute, unyielding detachment.
May you like
"You stopped being her grandmother the moment you put a price on her head," Mark said flatly before turning away.
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