Chapter 5 – The Verdict
Chapter 5 – The Verdict
Eight months later every seat inside the federal courtroom was filled.
Journalists lined the walls.
Television cameras waited outside.
Nico, now stronger and smiling again, sat beside Mariana holding her hand.
Rodrigo still carried himself like a businessman.
Teresa wore pearls.
Claudia refused to look at anyone.
The prosecutor played the yacht footage one final time.
No one in the courtroom spoke.
The silence felt heavier than any argument.
Then came the verdict.
Guilty.
Rodrigo Salcedo—
Attempted murder.
Child endangerment.
Conspiracy.
Witness intimidation.
Financial crimes.
Teresa Salcedo—
Attempted murder.
Conspiracy.
Obstruction of justice.
Claudia Salcedo—
Conspiracy to commit murder.
Kidnapping conspiracy.
Evidence of financial fraud.
Each received lengthy prison sentences.
As deputies placed handcuffs on Rodrigo, he finally looked at Mariana.
"You destroyed this family."
Mariana met his eyes without anger.
"No."
May you like
"You destroyed it the moment you decided power mattered more than your grandson."
He had no answer.
