Chapter 10 - The Reckoning
The jury deliberated for less than ninety minutes—one of the fastest verdicts in federal corporate crime history.
The foreperson stood up in the packed courtroom and read the verdict:
“On Count One, Conspiracy to Commit Premeditated Murder: Guilty.”
“On Count Two, Attempted Corporate Arson: Guilty.”
“On Count Three, Wire Fraud: Guilty.”
“On Count Four, Securities Fraud and Embezzlement: Guilty.”
“On Count Five, Attempted Assassination of David Ward: Guilty.”
The judge, a no-nonsense jurist known for his harsh penalties against white-collar predators, did not hold back during sentencing.
“Matthias Dre, you were born with every privilege this world has to offer,” the judge declared from the bench, his voice booming through the chambers. “You had wealth, education, family standing, and the love of an extraordinary wife. Yet your greed and narcissism led you to commit acts of monstrous cruelty that shock the conscience of civilized society.”
The judge slammed his gavel down.
“I sentence you to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, to be served at the United States Penitentiary, Florence High in Colorado. May God have more mercy on your soul than you had on your victims.”
Fiona Vale was sentenced to twenty-two years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, stripped of every cent of her personal assets and permanently disbarred from the corporate communications industry.
As Matthias was led away in heavy chains, knowing he would spend the remainder of his natural life inside an eight-by-ten concrete cell in the Rocky Mountains, his mother Eleanor collapsed in the gallery, sobbing hysterically as the Dre dynasty officially met its permanent, legal execution.
Outside the courthouse, David and I stood in the golden afternoon sunshine. Marcus Vance walked up and shook our hands warmly.
“It’s over, Serena,” Marcus said with a deep smile. “Justice has been served.”
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“Thank you for believing me, Marcus,” I replied, hugging the federal agent. “You gave my daughter her safety.”
“Take care of that little girl,” Marcus said. “She has an extraordinary mother.”
