Chapter 10 - The Verdict
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The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
It was a remarkably short time for a trial that had lasted two weeks and involved complex charges of child endangerment, psychological abuse, and financial fraud.
Alexander and Sofia waited in a small, private antechamber down the hall from the courtroom. Dr. Lane, the trauma therapist, sat with them, playing a quiet game of tic-tac-toe with Sofia to keep her mind occupied.
When the bailiff knocked on the door to announce the jury had reached a verdict, Alexander felt his heart hammer against his ribs.
"Are you ready?" he asked Sofia.
She put down her pen and nodded.
The courtroom was packed again. The media had been allowed back in for the reading of the verdict. The air was thick, electric with anticipation.
Veronica stood at the defense table, her posture rigid, her face finally showing the cracks of genuine panic. She clutched her attorney's arm.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Martin asked.
"We have, Your Honor," the foreperson, an older man with kind eyes, stood up. He handed a folded piece of paper to the bailiff, who passed it to the judge.
Judge Martin read the paper in silence. Her expression did not change. She handed it back to the bailiff to return to the foreperson.
"On the charge of child endangerment in the first degree," the foreperson read, his voice ringing loud and clear across the silent room. "We find the defendant, Veronica Vance... Guilty."
Veronica gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"On the charge of psychological abuse of a minor," the foreperson continued. "Guilty."
"On the charge of grand financial fraud and embezzlement... Guilty."
The gavel slammed down, echoing like a gunshot.
"The defendant is remanded into immediate custody pending sentencing," Judge Martin declared, standing up. "Court is adjourned."
Two bailiffs immediately approached Veronica, pulling her arms behind her back and securing them in steel handcuffs. She looked frantically toward the gallery, her eyes locking onto Alexander.
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"Alexander, please!" she screamed, her carefully constructed facade entirely shattered. "You can't let them do this! I did it for us! I did it to protect your image!"
Alexander did not blink. He did not speak. He simply turned his body, shielding Sofia from the sight of her abuser being dragged away, and guided his daughter toward the exit.
