Chapter 13
The jury deliberated for a mere forty-five minutes before buzzing the judge to signal a unanimous verdict. Judge Harrison took the papers from the foreman, scanning the sheets before looking directly at the defense table.
"On all counts of felony child abuse, unlawful confinement, and conspiracy, how does the jury find the defendant?" the judge asked. "Guilty on all counts, Your Honor," the foreman stated clearly and resonantly across the silent courtroom.
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Gasps rippled through the gallery as Victoria slumped forward in her chair, realizing her empire of lies had collapsed. "Victoria Vance, you have abused your power to inflict unimaginable trauma on an innocent child," Judge Harrison declared sternly.
"I sentence you to twenty-five years in a maximum-security federal correctional facility without the possibility of parole." The heavy gavel slammed down with a resounding crack that echoed the finality of her defeat.
