Chapter 8 - The Verdict of Justice
Six months later.
The United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles was packed to absolute capacity.
Every major news network in the world had live correspondents stationed outside the marble steps. The trial of The United States v. Spencer Albright, Cassandra Vance, and Patricia Albright had reached its final, dramatic conclusion.
Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Spencer sat at the defense table, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, his hands chained to his waist. He had lost thirty pounds. His hair was shaved short, his face hollow and haunted. Beside him sat Cassandra, also in orange, her former beauty completely gone, her face pale, devoid of makeup, staring blankly at the floor. Patricia sat in a wheelchair next to her public defender, shivering under a thin blanket.
On the other side of the courtroom sat Gwen.
She wore a dark tailored suit, sitting beside her father Vance and Thomas. Her expression was serene, regal, and composed.
The heavy wooden door behind the bench opened.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Richard Thorne," the bailiff announced.
The entire courtroom stood as the senior federal judge took his seat.
Judge Thorne adjusted his glasses, looking down at the written jury verdicts in his hand. He looked at the three defendants with cold, unwavering severity.
"Will the defendants please rise for sentencing," Judge Thorne ordered.
Spencer, Cassandra, and Patricia struggled to stand, the heavy iron chains rattling loudly against their chairs.
"Regarding Defendant Cassandra Vance," Judge Thorne read aloud. "On the count of felony assault on a minor resulting in severe bodily injury, and one count of interstate flight to avoid prosecution... You are hereby sentenced to nine years in the California Department of Corrections, without the possibility of early parole."
Cassandra let out a loud, pathetic sob, collapsing back into her chair, clutching her face with her chained hands.
"Regarding Defendant Patricia Albright," the judge continued. "On counts of corporate fraud conspiracy and accessory to child endangerment... You are sentenced to four years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, alongside total forfeiture of all personal real estate and financial holdings."
Patricia buried her face in her hands, weeping silently.
Finally, Judge Thorne turned his sharp gaze toward Spencer Albright.
"Spencer Albright," Judge Thorne spoke, his voice cutting through the room like a hammer. "You orchestrated a multi-million-dollar financial fraud scheme, lied to federal regulators, betrayed every fiduciary duty to your investors, and permitted systemic abuse against your own infant daughter in your pursuit of hollow status."
The judge leaned forward over his bench.
"It is the order of this court that you be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to serve a sentence of twenty-two years at United States Penitentiary, Lompoc. You will pay restitution in the amount of forty-one million dollars to Crawford Capital and the affected shareholders."
BANG!
The wooden gavel struck the block.
"Court is adjourned."
The courtroom erupted into a flurry of murmurs and camera shutter sounds from the press gallery.
Federal marshals stepped forward, grabbing Spencer’s chains to pull him toward the side exit leading to the holding cells.
As Spencer was turned around, he looked across the aisle at Gwen one last time.
Gwen stood up calmly, buttoning her suit jacket. She met his gaze for a single second, her eyes reflecting nothing but total, absolute peace.
Spencer opened his mouth, trying to say her name one last time, but the marshals yanked his chains, pulling him through the heavy iron door.
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The door slammed shut with a heavy, metallic CLANG.
The nightmare was officially over.
