Chapter 47
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The silence in the deposition room was deafening. The court reporter's fingers flew across the keys, capturing the catastrophic collapse of Victor Thorne’s carefully constructed legal defense.
"I will not answer questions about my private trusts," Thorne snapped, the veneer of the sophisticated businessman entirely shattering, revealing the aggressive, cornered abuser beneath.
"You don't have a choice, Mr. Thorne," Lily replied, her voice remaining incredibly calm, a stark contrast to his rising panic. "You opened the door to your finances when you used them to deny child support to your ex-wife. Did you, or did you not, conceal three million dollars in an offshore account to financially starve the mother of your children?"
"Objection! Badgering the witness!" Sterling practically shouted, grabbing Thorne's arm. "Do not answer that, Victor. We are terminating this deposition."
"If you terminate this deposition, Mr. Sterling, I will file an immediate motion for contempt," Lily stated, locking eyes with the senior partner. "And while we are discussing contempt, let's look at Exhibit E."
Lily slid the printed dossier containing the photograph of the black SUV and the corporate registry of the security firm across the table.
"Mr. Thorne, did you authorize your private security firm to stalk me at my private residence last Thursday night?" Lily asked, her voice dropping into a lethal, icy register.
Thorne stared at the photograph, his face turning pale, then rapidly flushing with uncontrolled rage.
"You little bitch," Thorne hissed, leaning across the mahogany table, his fists clenched tightly. "You think you can ruin me? I built half this city. I will make sure you never practice law in this state."
"Mr. Thorne, stop talking immediately!" Sterling yelled in absolute horror, realizing his client had just threatened opposing counsel on the official legal record.
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Lily didn't flinch. She sat perfectly still, holding his furious gaze with an immovable, unshakeable sovereignty.
"Let the record reflect," Lily said clearly, turning slightly toward the court reporter, "that the witness just issued a direct, violent threat against counsel. We have everything we need. This deposition is concluded."
