Chapter 7 - Ashes and Debt
The sentencing hearing took place three weeks later. The judge was known for her harsh stance on white-collar crime and domestic abuse.
"Grant Whitmore," the judge said, looking over her half-moon spectacles. "You exhibited a appalling pattern of greed, manipulation, and physical violence against the person who trusted you most. You built a house of cards on stolen money and tried to cement it with cruelty."
She slammed her gavel down with a sharp crack. "I sentence you to fifteen years at the Federal Correctional Institution, with no possibility of parole for the first ten years. Furthermore, a restitution order of twenty-four million dollars is levied against all present and future assets."
As the bailiffs stepped forward to place Grant in heavy wrist and ankle chains, he turned frantically toward the gallery.
"Claire!" he screamed, his voice cracking with panicked terror. "Claire, tell them to stop! Talk to your father! Please! I'll give you everything back! Claire!"
Claire did not stand up. She did not avert her eyes. She watched him being led through the heavy steel door that led to the holding cells, her heart finally feeling free of the ghost that had haunted her for years.
Outside the courthouse, a swarm of news reporters and cameras surrounded the steps.
Arthur Vance stood beside his daughter as reporters shouted questions.
"Mrs. Vance!" a reporter yelled. "What happens to Whitmore Enterprises now?"
Claire stepped up to the podium and pulled the microphone close.
May you like
"Whitmore Enterprises no longer exists," Claire announced calmly. "Its assets have been absorbed into a new subsidiary of Vance Global Logistics: The Horizon Foundation. It will be dedicated entirely to funding emergency shelters, legal support, and medical care for victims of domestic abuse."
The press pool erupted in applause as Claire turned and walked down the steps, flanked by her father and brother, stepping out into the clean afternoon air.
