Chapter 9 - The Decree of Absolute Freedom
Six months later, the legal reckoning concluded.
In Federal District Court, Ethan Vance pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and grand corporate theft to avoid a maximum thirty-year sentence.
Judge Arthur Thornton delivered the sentence from the bench:
Ethan Vance: Sentenced to nine years in federal penitentiary without eligibility for parole for the first seven years, along with an order of complete personal restitution totaling $12.4 million.
Chloe Vance: Sentenced to four years in federal correctional facility for conspiracy and receipt of stolen property.
Liam Vance: Sentenced to three years in federal prison for laundering illicit corporate funds.
The following morning, the County Superior Court finalized our divorce.
Under the terms of the decree:
The marriage of ten years was dissolved with absolute prejudice.
All marital claims by Ethan Vance against my estate, trust assets, and Vance Global shares were permanently extinguished.
The diamond tennis bracelet and all stolen family heirlooms were returned to my possession.
As I signed the final stamped decree in Judge Thornton’s chambers, Marcus Kane handed me a glass of sparkling water.
“To total, unencumbered independence, Chairwoman Sterling,” Marcus smiled.
May you like
I smiled back, feeling a profound, weightless peace wash over my soul.
“To freedom.”
