Chapter 10 - THE SHADOW OF THE SATELLITE
-10
Two weeks later, the federal indictment against Marcus Vance reached the pre-trial motions phase in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case had captured the attention of national financial media outlets, turning into a high-profile exposé on corporate corruption, insider betrayal, and malicious family law exploitation.
Roberto chose not to attend the courthouse in person. He didn't need to sit in the gallery to watch his cousin sweat under the weight of seventy-page federal indictments and overwhelming digital evidence. Instead, he monitored the secure live feed from the privacy of his study.
On the screen, Marcus looked a decade older. His bespoke suits hung loosely on a frame that had lost its arrogant posture. His defense attorneys looked defeated, desperately whispering frantic advice as the federal prosecutor laid out the cryptographic ledgers, the encrypted chat logs detailing the plot against Sofía, and the corporate wire-fraud records linking Marcus directly to Vanguard Holdings.
"Your Honor," the federal prosecutor stated smoothly, stepping toward the judge's bench. "The government submits that the defendant, Marcus Vance, orchestrated a multi-layered conspiracy involving corporate embezzlement, wire fraud, and the intentional psychological manipulation of a minor for the explicit purpose of illegal asset acquisition."
The judge—a stern, no-nonsense magistrate known for severe white-collar sentencing—flipped through the evidentiary exhibits, pausing for a long moment on the forensic transcripts of Vanessa whispering poison into a blind child's ear.
When the judge looked up, his expression was carved from granite.
"The court has reviewed the complete evidentiary package," the judge’s voice echoed sharply through the courtroom audio feed. "The level of premeditation, cruelty, and absolute disregard for human life and familial trust displayed in this case is staggering. The defense's motion for pre-trial bail is summarily denied. The defendant will be remanded to federal custody without bond pending trial."
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Marcus slumped forward in his chair, burying his face in his hands as federal marshals stepped up behind him, clicking heavy steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
Roberto closed the laptop lid. The screen went dark, reflecting the calm, resolute expression of a man who had successfully defended his sanctuary. Marcus would stand trial, receive a maximum federal prison sentence, and spend the rest of his life stripped of every privilege he had tried to steal.
