Chapter 5 — The Liquidation of a Viper
The trial of Victoria Sterling was the shortest in New York state history.
Three weeks later, she stood before a federal judge, her designer clothes replaced by a coarse orange jumpsuit, her hands bound in steel handcuffs. The courtroom was packed to capacity with international journalists, but the front row was occupied entirely by Edward, Leo, and Lily.
Leo Vance didn't sit at the prosecution table this time; he sat beside his grandfather as a witness. The state's case was presented by the District Attorney himself, backed by thirty years of forensic archives provided by Julian Vance and the fully unsealed ledger of Victoria’s offshore accounts.
"Victoria Sterling," the judge announced, his voice echoing through the silent courtroom.
"For the crimes of grand larceny, identity theft, and the unlawful orchestration of human trafficking involving minors, you are hereby sentenced to twenty-five years at the Bedford Hills Maximum Security Facility without the possibility of parole. Furthermore, the court orders the total, unmitigated seizure of all your corporate assets, properties, and personal holdings."
Victoria looked toward the front row, her face gaunt, her eyes hollowed out by fear. "Edward... please," she croaked. "I am a Sterling. You cannot let them do this to me."
Edward stood up slowly, his posture commanding the entire room. He didn't look at her with anger. He looked at her with the profound, chilling indifference of a man who had already wiped her name from his memory.
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"The Sterling name belongs to my daughter’s children, Victoria," Edward said clearly, his voice carrying to every corner of the room. "You are nothing but an expense that has finally been settled."
As the marshals dragged her through the side exit, her screams fading into the holding cells, Lily leaned her head against Leo’s shoulder, her small hand locking into his. The threat was gone. The vipers had been cleared from the house.
