Chapter 9 - The Trial of SilenceThree months later, the federal courthouse in Phoenix hosted one of the most swift and brutal legal proceedings in Arizona history.
Alistair Vance sat at the defense table wearing an orange jumpsuit, his hands restrained by a belly chain. Gone was the arrogant, polished CEO in bespoke suits; in his place was a hollow, terrified man who had spent ninety days in a federal detention center unable to post a bail set at fifty million dollars.
Genevieve sat three seats away from him, her head bowed, weeping quietly. Her high-priced defense attorneys had abandoned her weeks ago after her family went completely bankrupt.
In the gallery sat the five Pembroke brothers, occupying the entire front row. They wore matching dark charcoal suits, sitting in total, terrifying silence. Their presence alone filled the courtroom with an overwhelming atmosphere of absolute judgment.
Gabriel Pembroke, who had recused himself from official judicial duties to sit with the family, leaned over to whisper to me. "The plea deal was rejected by the judge ten minutes ago. They are going to trial on all counts."
When the prosecutor presented the digital evidence—retrieved by Lucas from the wiped cloud servers—the entire courtroom watched the HD video playback on large monitors.
The recording showed Genevieve grinning maliciously as she slashed the emerald dress with my sewing scissors, followed by Alistair storming into the room, picking up his leather belt, and striking Paisley while Genevieve laughed softly in the background.
The jury took less than twenty minutes to reach a verdict.
Guilty on all counts.
The judge did not show an ounce of mercy. Alistair Vance was sentenced to twenty-five years in state prison without the possibility of early parole for aggravated child abuse, assault, and corporate fraud. Genevieve received fifteen years for conspiracy and filing false criminal reports.
As the bailiffs led Alistair away in chains, he turned his desperate, sunken eyes toward the gallery, looking directly at me.
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"Victoria..." he rasped, his voice trembling. "Please... tell them to stop..."
I didn't say a word. I didn't even blink. I simply reached down and took Paisley's hand in mine, turning my back on him forever as my brothers stood up around us, forming an impenetrable wall of protection.
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