CHAPTER 5
"Your Honor," Senior Federal Prosecutor Amanda Sterling announced, standing up to address the bench. "The United States government presents undeniable digital evidence documenting a three-year money laundering operation."
Amanda tapped an encrypted laptop, broadcasting the live audio recording from my Apple Watch through the courtroom's high-definition sound system.
The entire gallery listened in horrified silence as Derek's booming, arrogant voice filled the room: "Put those gloves on, Claire. Let me show you what happens when a rich little housewife disrespects a real man."
Immediately following Derek's threat, Ryan's cold, spineless response echoed through the speakers: "Just apologize to him, Claire. God, why do you have to provoke him?"
Gasps of pure disgust rippled through the gallery as news anchors frantically scribbled notes on their pads, capturing the total moral collapse of the Walsh brothers.
Ryan buried his face in his cuffed hands, weeping uncontrollably as the dark truth of his cowardice was exposed to the entire world.
"Furthermore, Your Honor," Prosecutor Sterling added, placing a thick stack of bank ledgers on the bench, "financial forensic analysis confirms Ryan Walsh funneled four hundred thousand dollars from the victim's personal account into illegal fight bets."
"Those funds were directly linked to a foreign cartel network operating out of Baltimore," Amanda concluded firmly.
The presiding magistrate shook his head in absolute disdain, looking down at the two disgraced brothers with cold, uncompromising authority.
"The court finds overwhelming evidence of physical assault, racketeering, money laundering, and grand larceny," the judge declared sternly.
"Bail is hereby denied for both defendants," the magistrate ordered, slamming his gavel with finality. "They will remain in maximum-security federal holding until trial."
Derek let out a wild, animalistic roar of frustration, thrashing against his chains as officers pulled him toward the side holding cell.
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Ryan sobbed hysterically, dropping to his knees on the carpeted floor, reaching his cuffed hands toward me as the marshals dragged him away into the dark corridor.
"Claire! Don't leave me! I'm your husband!" Ryan screamed, his voice fading down the hallway like a dying echo.
