Chapter 7 - The Trial of the Century
Six months later, the media circus surrounding the Sterling family reached a fever pitch.
Chloe Mercer was on trial for corporate fraud, grand larceny, and extortion.
Elena sat in the back row of the courtroom, an unreadable expression on her face as the prosecution dismantled Chloe's life.
Julian was called to the stand as the star witness against his own wife.
He looked haggard, aged ten years by the stress of the scandal and the loss of his fortune.
As he testified, he couldn't stop looking toward the back row, seeking validation from the woman he had discarded.
Elena refused to meet his eye.
She was only there to ensure the final nail was hammered into the coffin of the people who had hurt her.
The jury took less than four hours to reach a verdict.
Guilty on all counts.
As the bailiffs led a screaming, sobbing Chloe away in handcuffs, the courtroom erupted in chaos.
Julian tried to push through the crowd of reporters to reach Elena.
"Elena! Elena, wait!" he shouted over the flashing cameras.
But she was already surrounded by her own private security detail, moving smoothly toward the exit.
She stepped out into the crisp New York air, feeling truly free for the first time in years.
Maya was waiting by the SUV, holding a squirming, laughing Leo in her arms.
"How did it go?" Maya asked, strapping the baby into his car seat.
"Exactly as it was supposed to," Elena replied, a genuine smile finally breaking across her face.
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"It's over."
She climbed into the car, leaving the courthouse and her past firmly in the rearview mirror.
