Chapter 16 - The Courtroom Battle
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Three months later, the criminal trial of Victoria Smyth (formerly Vance) began at the county courthouse.
The courtroom was packed with journalists, cameras, and spectators eager to watch the downfall of the infamous social climber. Victoria sat at the defense table, wearing a plain orange prison jumpsuit, her blonde hair unstyled, her face pale and hollow.
Edward took the witness stand, wearing a dark suit and his father’s gold ring.
"Mr. Vance," the prosecutor asked, stepping toward the jury box. "Can you describe for the court what you witnessed on the evening of August 14th?"
Edward took a deep breath, looking directly at Victoria.
"I walked into the grand foyer of my home," Edward testified, his voice firm and clear. "I saw the defendant standing over my dying mother, beating her with a cane and demanding she sign over the family deeds."
Victoria’s attorney stood up immediately. "Objection! My client was under severe emotional distress due to financial pressure!"
"Overruled," the judge snapped. "Sit down, counsel."
The prosecutor introduced the critical evidence: the blood-stained transfer papers, the security footage from the front gate showing Victoria intercepting the medical courier, and the deposition from Florence’s doctor confirming her terminal condition.
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When the jury returned after just two hours of deliberation, the verdict was unanimous: Guilty on all counts of attempted grand extortion, felony assault, and elder abuse.
As the judge sentenced Victoria to fifteen years in state prison without the possibility of parole, Victoria broke down, sobbing uncontrollably as bailiffs dragged her away. She glanced back at Edward one last time, but he simply turned his head away, completely closed off to her existence.
