The state courthouse in downtown Chicago was crowded with reporters, corporate executives, and television cameras on the morning of Victoria's formal sentencing. Flashbulbs exploded continuously as state troopers escorted Victoria down the center aisle of the courtroom.
She wore a dark orange prison jumpsuit, her hands handcuffed to a heavy leather waist chain. Her golden hair was disheveled, her expensive makeup gone, her face pale and hollow under the fluorescent court lights.
At the prosecution table sat Julian, wearing a crisp dark suit, flanked by Clara and Mrs. Gable. Behind them sat twelve members of the Sterling Global board of directors.
Judge Harrison: Court will come to order. We are here for the final sentencing in the matter of the State versus Victoria Sterling.
Prosecutor Vance: Your Honor, the defendant has pled guilty to first-degree murder by poison, grand corporate fraud, evidence tampering, and felony assault on domestic staff.
Defense Attorney: Your Honor, my client requests leniency based on her lack of prior criminal record and her willingness to surrender all claims to the Sterling estate trust.
Judge Harrison: Leniency, Mr. Davis? Your client spent two years systematically poisoning a helpless man while plotting to steal his life work, and then attempted to poison a maid who discovered her crime.
Defense Attorney: She regrets her actions deeply, Your Honor.
Judge Harrison: Regret born of getting caught is not true remorse, counselor.
Judge Harrison adjusted his glasses, looking down at Victoria with cold, stern authority before lifting his heavy wooden gavel.
Judge Harrison: Victoria Sterling, for the crime of first-degree murder, you are hereby sentenced to life in state penitentiary without the possibility of parole. For the crimes of fraud and assault, you are sentenced to an additional twenty years. Court is adjourned.
The judge struck his wooden block with a loud, sharp thud that echoed through the packed courtroom. The gallery broke into a firm round of applause as Victoria let out a choked scream, her body trembling as the troopers pulled her toward the side exit doors.
Victoria: Julian! Tell them to stop! You can't leave me in prison for the rest of my life!
Julian: You made your choice, Victoria. Now you have a lifetime to live with it.
Victoria: Clara! You miserable little maid! You ruined me!
Clara: You ruined yourself, Victoria. Truth always wins in the end.
The heavy iron doors of the holding cell corridor slammed shut behind Victoria, cutting off her shrill shouting forever.
Julian, Clara, and Mrs. Gable walked out down the wide stone steps of the courthouse into the bright afternoon sunlight. Reporters held up microphones, but Julian simply raised a hand, smiling warmly at Clara.
Julian: Ready to go home, Clara?
Clara: Ready, Mr. Sterling.
Hand in hand with justice, truth, and peace, they stepped into the waiting car, leaving the dark nightmare of the past behind them as they rode back toward the sunny gates of the Sterling estate.