Chapter 8 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than three hours.
When the heavy oak doors of the courtroom opened and the twelve jurors walked back to their seats, the silence in the room was absolute.
Ethan stood at the defense table, his hands trembling so violently he had to hold onto the edge of the wood to keep his balance. His high-priced lawyer looked down at his yellow notepad, knowing there was nothing left to save.
“Mr. Foreman,” Judge Pendelton said, looking down from his bench. “Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?”
“We have, Your Honor,” the foreman replied, standing tall.
“On Count One: Assault on an Active-Duty Military Officer under Federal Jurisdiction, how do you find?”
“Guilty.”
“On Count Two: Federal Wire Fraud and Contract Forgery?”
“Guilty.”
“On Count Three: Export Control Violations and Illegal Hardware Transfer?”
“Guilty.”
“On Count Four: Treasonous Conspiracy against the United States?”
“Guilty.”
As the word "Guilty" echoed through the room for the fourth time, a wave of relief washed over me so powerful I had to take a deep, shaky breath to stay grounded.
Ethan slumped into his chair, staring blankly at the polished floor. The arrogance, the wealth, the family protection—everything had been stripped away until nothing remained except a broken man facing the consequences of his actions.
Judge Pendelton looked down at Ethan with cold disdain.
“Ethan Vance,” Judge Pendelton said, his voice echoing through the silent court. “You used your wife’s service, her honor, and her blood to enrich yourself. You abused her in private, attacked her in public, and attempted to sell out your nation’s security for greed. This court finds your actions abhorrent.”
The judge picked up his pen.
“I am sentencing you to thirty-five years in federal prison without the possibility of parole,” Judge Pendelton declared, slamming his gavel down hard. “Court is adjourned.”
Two Federal Marshals stepped forward instantly, snapping heavy iron chains around Ethan’s wrists and ankles.
May you like
As they dragged him toward the side exit, Ethan turned his head, looking at me one last time. His eyes were wide with desperate horror, realization finally dawning on him that his family would never come to save him again.
I didn't glare at him. I didn't smile. I simply sat straight in my uniform, watching him disappear behind the heavy steel doors.
