Chapter 7 - THE RECKONING AT TRIAL
Two weeks after the gala, the criminal trial of State of New York v. Julian Vance and Arthur Pendelton reached its dramatic conclusion at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse.
The courtroom was packed with journalists, former Apex employees, and independent artists who had gathered to witness the final verdict.
Julian Vance sat at the defense table in a dull orange prison jumpsuit, his hair unkempt, his eyes hollowed out by months in detention. Beside him, Arthur Pendelton sat slumped in his suit, looking broken and defeated.
I sat in the front row of the gallery beside Michael, holding his hand tightly.
The jury foreman stood up, holding the official verdict sheets.
"On count one, grand larceny in the first degree, how do you find the defendant, Julian Vance?" the judge asked.
"Guilty," the foreman announced clearly.
"On count two, corporate identity theft and fraud, how do you find the defendant, Julian Vance?"
"Guilty."
"On count three, criminal conspiracy, how do you find the defendant, Arthur Pendelton?"
"Guilty."
A collective wave of gasps and sighs of relief washed through the courtroom gallery.
The judge knocked his wooden gavel down hard against the bench. "Julian Vance, you are hereby sentenced to twelve years in state prison without the possibility of parole for five years. Arthur Pendelton, you are sentenced to nine years in state prison and ordered to pay seven million dollars in full asset restitution to the affected artists."
Julian was hauled to his feet by court officers. As he was led toward the side exit leading to the holding cells, he turned his head and looked at me one final time.
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There was no arrogance left in his eyes—only the profound, bitter realization that his own greed and prejudice had destroyed his life, while the woman he had dismissed as "complicated" stood triumphant at the pinnacle of the art world.
I didn't look at him with anger or hatred. I simply looked at him with quiet pity, then turned my back on him forever.
