Chapter 14 - The Federal Sentencing
Six months after the night Arthur zipped his suitcase, the final sentencing hearing took place in Boston Federal Court.
The courtroom was packed to the brim with over fifty reporters, business executives, and former colleagues.
Judge Harrison delivered the sentence with absolute, uncompromising justice:
"Arthur Vance, you weaponized the sacred trust of marriage to commit an act of predatory, cold-blooded financial violence against the very woman who gave you your career. You acted with arrogance, greed, and unspeakable cruelty.
For the charges of federal wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, bank fraud, and money laundering, I sentence you to twenty-two years in a federal penitentiary without the possibility of parole, to be served at FCI Fort Dix."
"Sienna Brooks, for your active conspiracy and receipt of stolen luxury property, I sentence you to eight years in a federal correctional facility."
The gavel struck the sounding block with a loud, final CRACK.
Arthur was led away in chains, looking back at the gallery one last time.
May you like
I sat in the front row, wearing an elegant cream blazer, holding my head high.
I didn't look at him with hatred. I simply looked through him, as if he were nothing more than a ghost that had finally been erased from my world.
