Chapter 11 - The Sentence
The courtroom went so quiet that the ticking of the wall clock sounded like a sledgehammer striking wood.
Judge Ellison leaned forward over her high marble bench, looking down at Victoria, who was now shivering uncontrollably in her orange jumpsuit.
"Victoria Sterling," Judge Ellison began, her voice ringing out like a solemn sermon. "You were born into immense privilege, wealth, and influence. Yet, yesterday evening, you displayed a level of cruel, narcissistic malice that nauseates this court. You targeted a defenseless three-year-old child simply because she did not fit your twisted perception of social hierarchy."
Victoria opened her mouth to speak, but Judge Ellison raised a sharp hand, cutting her off instantly.
"Do not speak," the judge commanded. "You have shown zero remorse throughout these proceedings. You believed your family’s money made you untouchable. Today, this court will disabuse you of that delusion."
Judge Ellison grabbed her pen, signing the official sentencing document with sharp, decisive strokes.
"On Count One, Felony Battery of a Minor, you are sentenced to eighteen months at the Fairview Correctional Facility for Women," Judge Ellison read aloud. "On Count Two, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, you are sentenced to two hundred hours of mandatory community service... to be served exclusively at city public childcare facilities under armed correctional supervision upon your release."
Gasps erupted from the gallery. Victoria’s eyes widened in sheer, horrific panic.
Community service in a public childcare facility.
To a woman who viewed children as subhuman leeches, serving two hundred hours cleaning floors and serving food to underprivileged toddlers was a psychological punishment far worse than any prison cell.
"Furthermore," Judge Ellison continued, looking directly at Victoria’s trembling face, "this court orders a permanent, lifetime Restraining Order. You are forbidden from ever coming within five thousand feet of Maya Vance, Alexander Vance, or any property owned by the Vance Corporation. If you so much as breathe in their direction, your probation will be revoked, and you will serve a full ten-year sentence."
CRACK!
The wooden gavel fell again, its sharp impact signaling the absolute, final end of Victoria Sterling’s life as she knew it.
"Take her away," Judge Ellison ordered.
May you like
Two armed female bailiffs grabbed Victoria by her shoulders, lifting her out of her chair. Victoria didn't scream this time. She didn't shout. Her spirit was completely shattered. As she was dragged out through the side exit door, her eyes locked onto Alexander Vance one last time.
Alexander didn't stand up. He didn't clap. He simply watched her disappear behind the heavy steel door, his face emotionless, absolute, and utterly serene.
