Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson were once colleagues, lovers and close to the prime minister.
Now a jury of eight women and three men - chosen at random and on the evidence before them - have delivered these two defendants two very different fates.
Coulson showed no emotion and stared straight ahead when he learnt that the jury had found him guilty of conspiracy to hack.
The full consequences of his actions have finally caught up with him and he faces the prospect of a prison sentence.
In stark contrast, Mrs Brooks - standing close by in the dock - smiled as the jury foreman returned the first of four not guilty verdicts.
She held the hand of her former assistant, Cheryl Carter, as she too was found not guilty.
As a teenager, Mrs Brooks swept the floors and made the tea at the Warrington Guardian.
As an adult, she ran one of Rupert Murdoch's companies.
Now, after three years in limbo awaiting this trial, Mrs Brooks can resume her life.
Other politicians and celebrities have reacted to the verdicts.
Labour MP Ben Bradshaw tweeted, external: "Coulson verdict another damning indictment of Cameron's terrible, terrible judgement."
Sienna Miller, who gave evidence during the trial via video link from the US, told ITV about phone hacking: "It happened, it's really unfortunate and it does make me incredibly angry but I do feel like justice is being done."
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, a friend of Mrs Brooks, tweeted, external that he was "beyond ecstatic", while former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan tweeted, external: "So happy for my friends Rebekah and Charlie, so sad for my friend Andy. A good man, who I will always support."
News UK, formerly known as News International and part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, said in a statement: "We said long ago, and repeat today, that wrongdoing occurred, and we apologised for it.
"We have been paying compensation to those affected and have co-operated with investigations.
"We made changes in the way we do business to help ensure wrongdoing like this does not occur again."
Brian Cathcart, of campaign group Hacked Off, which represents hacking victims, said: "For years the Murdoch press clung to the story that one rogue reporter was responsible for phone hacking. We now know this was a lie."