Chapter 10
The jury deliberations lasted less than two hours before the buzzer sounded, signaling a unanimous verdict. The courtroom filled with an electric tension as the jury foreman stood up to read the official decision of the court.
"On all twelve counts of federal wire fraud, grand larceny, and conspiracy, we find the defendant guilty," he declared. Victoria closed her eyes tightly as a single tear slipped down her cheek, her shoulders shaking with silent defeat.
The federal judge banged his heavy wooden gavel three times, echoing sharply through the solemn, historic chamber. "I sentence Victoria Sterling to twenty years in a federal correctional facility without the possibility of early parole," the judge ruled.
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United States marshals immediately stepped forward, snapping steel handcuffs onto Victoria's wrists with cold efficiency. They escorted her through the side exit, plunging her from the public eye into the dark reality of incarceration.
Sarah watched her departure without a trace of malice, feeling only the quiet closure of a chapter concluded. She stood up, adjusting her jacket with quiet dignity before walking out into the bright Manhattan sunshine.
