Chapter 11
The morning of the federal trial arrived under a blanket of gray clouds and crisp autumn wind in Manhattan. Hundreds of media outlets crowded the granite steps of the United States District Courthouse downtown.
Christian and Chloe arrived in a tinted black SUV, stepping out calmly amidst a flurry of flashing camera lights. Chloe wore a tailored white coat and dark sunglasses, projecting an aura of quiet, unshakable dignity.
They walked side by side past the press barrier, refusing to answer shouted questions from sensationalist reporters. Inside the packed courtroom, the atmosphere was thick with intense anticipation and breathless silence.
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Eleanor sat at the defense table wearing a standard orange inmate jumpsuit, looking older and drastically diminished. She refused to look up as the federal judge entered the chamber and took his seat behind the heavy oak bench.
The prosecutor opened his leather briefcase, preparing to present the devastating mountain of forensic evidence to the jury. The trial of the decade was about to expose every dark secret the Sterling family had hidden for years.
