Chapter 8
Back at the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan, the morning news cycle was dominated by breaking headlines.
Financial news networks broadcasted live reports detailing the sudden arrest of Chloe Vance and the collapse of her corporate faction.
Inside the arraignment courtroom, the media packed every available seat in the gallery with notebooks and cameras ready.
Chloe sat at the defense table in an orange jumpsuit, her shoulder-length dark brown hair tangled and devoid of makeup.
She stared fixedly at the mahogany defense table, refusing to look up as the federal prosecutor laid out the preliminary charges.
"The defendant orchestrated a calculated, violent assault intended to eliminate potential heirs to the Sterling corporate empire," Prosecutor Thorne stated.
The judge reviewed the digital evidence tablet containing the high-definition security footage from the mansion living room.
"Bail is denied, and the defendant will be remanded to the Metropolitan Correctional Center until trial," Judge Miller ruled sharply.
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The gavel slammed down with a resounding crack, sealing Chloe's immediate fate as marshals escorted her out of the courtroom.
The corporate conspirators hiding behind the scenes watched the broadcast from Zurich and Tokyo with sudden, paralyzing fear.
