Chapter 13 - The Final Verdict
Inside Federal District Court, the judge slammed the heavy wooden gavel down onto the desk with a sharp echo that finalized the trial of the decade.
"Dominic Vance," the federal judge declared, looking down with stern authority. "For the counts of federal wire fraud, systemic tax evasion, and corporate embezzlement, this court sentences you to eighteen years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release and full restitution of twelve million dollars."
Dominic stood paralyzed as federal marshals grabbed his arms, putting him in heavy wrist and leg chains. He turned around frantically, looking toward the gallery for anyone who might offer sympathy.
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There was no one. Natalie was gone, his former law partners were in rival firms, and his former luxury friends had erased his phone number.
As he was led down the rear stairwell into the dark transport van, the reality of his fate settled in—he would spend the best years of his life behind concrete walls, completely forgotten by the high society he had ruined his soul to impress.
