Chapter 9 - THE UNMASKING OF VALERIA
The courtroom doors swung open during the afternoon recess.
Valeria walked in wearing dark sunglasses and a heavy trench coat.
She hoped to slip into the back row unnoticed.
Two federal marshals instantly stepped into her path.
“Valeria Vance?” one marshal asked.
“Yes?” she whispered nervously.
“You are subpoenaed as a co-conspirator in the Moretti RICO case.”
Valeria’s face drained of all color.
“No, there’s been a mistake! I’m a witness!”
“You’re a primary beneficiary of laundered funds,” the marshal stated flatly, slapping cuffs onto her wrists.
The media cameras flashed blindingly in her face.
Reporters shouted questions from every direction.
“Valeria! Did Alessandro buy your silence?”
“Are you facing ten years in federal prison?”
Sarah watched from the front row as the weeping mistress was hauled past her.
Valeria locked eyes with Sarah for one desperate moment.
“Sarah! Please help me! The baby—” Valeria cried out.
Sarah didn’t blink.
“Children deserve stability, Valeria,” Sarah said softly, echoing the mistress's own words from weeks ago. “Prison is the only stable place left for you.”
Valeria was dragged out of the courtroom doors.
Silence returned to the gallery.
Julian leaned over to Sarah.
“That was cold,” Julian whispered with a slight grin.
May you like
“It was just justice,” Sarah replied.
THE END OF CHAPTER 9
