Chapter 17 - The Final Confrontation Setup
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Three weeks later, the snow lay thick over Chicago.
Victor Sinclair’s trial date was set for the spring, but before the federal case could officially begin, a massive public hearing was scheduled at the City Council Chambers to strip Sinclair Maritime of its municipal port operating licenses.
The hearing was broadcast live across every news station in the Midwest.
Inside the packed council chamber, hundreds of reporters, politicians, and city leaders filled the gallery. Sitting at the defense table was Victor Sinclair, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, surrounded by three court-appointed defense lawyers.
At the prosecutor's table sat Augustine Vandermir and Chief Legal Counsel Delilah Hawthorne.
Dela wore an immaculate black maternity dress, her hair styled perfectly, her blue fountain pen resting on her legal pad. She looked radiantly strong, her pregnant belly now proudly visible.
In the gallery seats, Margot Sinclair sat wearing dark sunglasses, trying to hide her face from the flashing news cameras.
The city council president knocked his gavel against the wooden block. "The council will now hear opening arguments regarding the revocation of Port License 44."
Victor’s defense lawyer stood up first. "Your Honor, my client has been unfairly targeted by corporate rivals seeking to steal his maritime assets. There is no physical proof linking Mr. Sinclair to operational misconduct at Dock 44!"
The council president turned to the prosecutor's table. "Counselor Hawthorne, your response?"
Dela stood up smoothly. She picked up a single folder, walking with quiet confidence toward the podium in the center of the chamber.
She didn't need notes. She didn't need hesitation.
"Members of the Council," Dela spoke into the microphone, her voice echoing clearly across the packed room. "Today, we present forty-two sworn affidavits, three thousand bank transfers, and the original physical ledgers detailing systematic extortion, illegal dumping, and corporate murder executed by Victor Sinclair over a five-year period."
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She pointed a finger directly at Victor.
"Sinclair Maritime didn't just break the law," Dela declared fiercely. "It turned Chicago's waterfront into a private graveyard. And today, that graveyard is closed forever."
