Chapter 9 - The Trial of Spencer Vance
Five months later. February 2027.
The Federal District Courthouse in downtown Chicago was blanketed in a heavy winter snow. Inside Courtroom 4B, the trial of The United States v. Spencer Vance reached its dramatic conclusion.
The trial had dominated national headlines for weeks. Dr. Evelyn Reed had taken a plea deal, testifying extensively against Spencer in exchange for a reduced sentence. She detailed every meeting, every wire transfer, and every illegal embryo manipulation Spencer had ordered over the three-year period.
Spencer sat at the defense table in an orange prison jumpsuit, his hair buzzed short, his designer suits a distant memory. His high-priced defense team had crumbled under the sheer weight of electronic, medical, and financial evidence Marcus and the federal prosecutors had assembled.
I sat in the front row of the gallery, holding Chloe’s hand.
Beside us sat a small carry-cot lined with warm blue blankets.
Inside slept my grandson—Ethan Vance—born four weeks earlier, healthy, strong, with dark hair and bright, curious eyes that held none of his father's cruelty.
Judge Sarah Montgomery struck her wooden gavel against the block, calling the court to order.
"Will the defendant please stand," Judge Montgomery commanded.
Spencer stood up awkwardly, his ankle chains clinking against the floor.
"Spencer Vance," Judge Montgomery said, looking down at him over her half-moon glasses. "This court has seen many cases of corporate greed, but rarely have we witnessed a level of calculated, personal cruelty as demonstrated in your actions toward your wife and unborn children."
She picked up the sentencing document.
"For the charges of federal wire fraud, medical conspiracy, falsifying medical records, and reckless endangerment, it is the order of this court that you be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to serve a sentence of twenty-two years, without the possibility of early parole."
Spencer didn't shout this time. He didn't scream. He simply stared at the judge, his body deflating as the reality of his long, cold future in a federal penitentiary settled onto his shoulders.
"In addition," Judge Montgomery continued, "all marital assets, real estate holdings, and trust fund disbursements are officially transferred in full to Chloe Bennett-Vance for the support and upbringing of her child."
Gavel slam.
"Court is adjourned."
As the marshals led Spencer out through the side door, he turned his head one last time to look at the spectator gallery.
He saw Chloe standing tall, holding baby Ethan tightly in her arms. She didn't look at him with anger, nor with hatred.
May you like
She looked at him with complete indifference—as if he were nothing more than a stranger who had long since vanished from her life.
Spencer turned away, the heavy steel door swinging shut behind him with a final, definitive thud.
