Chapter 7 - The Trial
Three months later, the criminal trial of Julian Vance began.
The courtroom was packed with journalists, tech bloggers, and high-society observers. Julian sat at the defense table in a faded prison jumpsuit, his hands cuffed. His sleek appearance had vanished; he looked hollowed out, dark circles under his eyes, his hair thinning from stress.
I took the witness stand, wearing a sleek black dress, calm and composed.
The prosecutor played the high-definition footage from the Obsidian Resort on the court screen. The entire gallery gasped as the boiling coffee was poured over my head, followed by Julian’s sharp, cruel laughter echoing through the courtroom speakers.
“Mr. Vance,” the judge said, looking down over her glasses with cold disgust. “The evidence of your financial crimes is overwhelming. Over $1.2 million stolen from Aegis subsidiary funds. But worse is the complete lack of humanity shown in this recording toward your lawful wife.”
When it was time for the defense to speak, Julian’s public defender had nothing left to offer. Julian stood up, his voice cracking.
“I was blinded by my mother’s arrogance,” Julian wept, looking at the jury. “I thought I was powerful. I didn't know... I didn't know Clara was the one keeping us alive.”
“You didn't care who she was as long as you could step on her,” the judge cut in coldly.
The verdict came down in less than forty-five minutes.
Guilty on all counts of grand larceny, corporate fraud, and accomplice to felony battery.
Julian was sentenced to six years in state prison without the possibility of early parole for the first three years. He was also ordered to pay full restitution of $1.2 million to Aegis Global—a debt that would follow him for the rest of his life.
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As officers led Julian away in chains, he looked back at me one last time, screaming my name, begging for mercy.
I didn't answer. I simply adjusted my coat and walked out the heavy oak doors into the sunlight.
