Chapter 43
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The mandatory meet-and-confer before the deposition was held in the sleek, glass-walled conference room of Victor Thorne’s downtown legal firm. The room was designed to project absolute power, with sweeping views of the city skyline and a massive mahogany table that seemed to stretch for miles.
Lily walked into the room wearing a simple, professional black suit, flanked by Caleb. Waiting for them was Marcus Sterling, the senior partner representing Thorne. He was a man in his fifties, exuding a polished, condescending arrogance.
"Ms. Vance," Sterling greeted, not bothering to stand up as she entered. "I must admit, I am surprised the clinic allowed a student to attend this meeting alone. Usually, Professor Hayes holds your hands during these preliminary negotiations."
"Professor Hayes trusts me to handle routine matters, Mr. Sterling," Lily replied smoothly, taking a seat directly across from him. She opened her file folder with practiced precision. "Let's discuss the scheduling for Mr. Thorne's deposition regarding his offshore holding company."
Sterling chuckled, a patronizing sound that echoed in the large room.
"There will be no deposition regarding his corporate holdings," Sterling stated confidently, leaning back in his expensive leather chair. "Those assets are completely segregated from his personal income. Your subpoenas are a fishing expedition, and if you pursue them, I will ensure the judge sanctions your clinic for wasting the court's time."
"The assets are not segregated," Lily corrected, her voice cold and cutting. "Mr. Thorne used personal funds to capitalize the offshore LLC, and he has been using that LLC to pay for his personal luxury expenses while simultaneously claiming poverty to avoid child support. That is commingling of assets, which pierces the corporate veil."
Sterling's smile faltered slightly. He sat forward, realizing the student across from him was not a terrified amateur.
"You have absolutely no proof of commingling," Sterling challenged, his eyes narrowing.
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"I have the forensic accounting report," Lily said softly, sliding a single sheet of paper across the mahogany table. "It details a direct wire transfer from the LLC to a private aviation company, chartering a flight for Mr. Thorne to Aspen on the exact day he missed a mandated child support payment. You can either produce him for the deposition voluntarily, or I will hand this report to the judge and request a forensic audit of his entire empire."
Sterling stared at the paper, the color slowly draining from his face. The trap was set, and Thorne was completely cornered.
