Chapter 40
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The investigation into Victor Thorne’s financial empire consumed Lily’s life for the next three weeks. She practically lived in the law library, surrounded by towering stacks of corporate filings, tax documents, and property deeds. Caleb, who had also joined the clinic, frequently brought her black coffee and sandwiches, acting as her unofficial second chair in the complex case.
"You've been staring at that same offshore routing document for three hours," Caleb noted, setting a fresh cup of coffee on her desk late one Tuesday night. "The numbers are starting to blur together, Lily. You need to sleep."
"I can't sleep," Lily replied, her eyes locked on the glowing screen of her laptop. "Victor claims in his official court declarations that his primary development firm is operating at a massive loss, which is how he justifies paying absolutely zero child support to Rosa. But it's a lie. I know it's a lie."
"Proving corporate fraud in family court is a nightmare," Caleb warned gently, pulling up a chair beside her. "His lawyers have buried his personal income beneath six layers of anonymous LLCs."
"Then we dig through all six," Lily said, her voice hard and uncompromising. "Look at this ledger. He transferred two million dollars in 'consulting fees' to a holding company in the Caymans exactly three days before he filed the motion to reduce his child support payments. It's not a loss; it's premeditated asset concealment."
"If we bring that to the judge, his legal team will argue it's a standard, legal corporate restructure," Caleb pointed out, playing devil's advocate.
"Which is why we aren't just going to bring the ledger," Lily countered, a sharp, brilliant strategy forming in her mind. "We are going to subpoena the corporate officers of that specific holding company for a deposition. If they refuse to appear, we file a motion to compel, which forces Victor to admit on the record that he is the sole beneficiary of that account."
Caleb stared at her, deeply impressed by the aggressive, flawless tactical maneuver.
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"You are going to put a multi-millionaire developer in a perjury trap during a routine family court proceeding," Caleb breathed.
"He weaponized the law to abuse my client," Lily said, taking a sip of the dark coffee. "I am going to weaponize it right back to dismantle him."
