Chapter 15: The Sentencing
Three months later, the federal courthouse was a media circus. Clara sat in the very back row of the gallery, an elegant and unreadable silhouette behind dark designer sunglasses.
Julian and Richard stood before the federal judge, their tailored suits replaced by cheap, oversized olive-green prison jumpsuits. Without the protective shield of Arthur’s billion-dollar legal team, their exhausted public defenders had been completely dismantled by the relentless prosecution.
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The judge looked down from the bench with absolute disgust. "For systemic corporate fraud and embezzlement, I sentence you both to the maximum penalty under federal guidelines."
The gavel slammed down like a gunshot. Fifteen years, no possibility of parole. Clara stood up and quietly walked out of the courtroom before the bailiffs even finished putting the handcuffs back on Julian's wrists.
