Chapter 12 - The Shadow of the Courtroom
Two months later, light streamed through the stained-glass windows of the city courthouse.
Julian sat at the prosecutor's table, dressed in a sharp gray suit.
Beside him sat Clara, wearing an elegant blue dress, looking calm and composed.
On the defense side sat Victoria, her hair matted, wearing an orange jumpsuit and heavy handcuffs.
The judge slammed his wooden gavel onto the bench.
"Silence in the court," the judge commanded sharply.
"We are here to rule on the criminal charges and final custody of Leo Vance."
Victoria's lawyer stood up, putting on an arrogant smile for the jury.
"Your Honor, my client was coerced under extreme duress," the lawyer argued smoothly.
"Mr. Vance conspired with a domestic servant to frame my client and strip her rights."
A faint murmur rippled through the gallery of reporters.
Julian's lawyer stood up next, holding a thick electronic tablet connected to the courtroom screens.
"Your Honor, we present bank records recovered from the offshore accounts of Victoria Vance."
The screens lit up with thousands of illicit transactions dating back five years.
"These show she systematically stole millions from the Vance trust fund," the lawyer stated.
"And arranged the illegal sale of Leo Vance to international traffickers."
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Victoria slammed her handcuffed fists onto the wooden table.
"It's all lies! He paid them off!" Victoria screamed out of control.
