Chapter 4 - The Deposition
Z
The preliminary court hearing took place on Friday morning in Department 402 of the County Courthouse. The courtroom was packed with reporters. News of the Vance family—one of the city’s oldest real estate dynasties—suing a rising corporate logistics firm and filing criminal charges over domestic abuse had leaked to the press late Thursday night.
I arrived flanked by Victoria Sterling and Uncle Marcus, wearing a sharply tailored ivory pant-suit that completely covered the dark purple bruises on my arms. I wore no jewelry except for my grandfather’s vintage gold watch. I wanted the judge, the press, and the public to see a woman who was composed, powerful, and utterly unfazed by the storm.
When Jason and Linda walked in, the contrast was striking.
They had been forced to retain a public defender for Linda’s criminal arraignment after three high-profile defense attorneys turned them down due to unpaid retainers. Jason wore a suit that was visibly unpressed, his eyes sunken and bloodshot from lack of sleep. Linda looked frail, trying to play the victim for the cameras, her shoulders slouched as she clutched a cheap canvas handbag.
Judge Patricia Vance—no relation to my family, though her reputation for zero tolerance regarding domestic violence was well-known—took her bench with an expression of sharp authority.
"We are here today on Motion 404: Emergency Protective Orders and Asset Preservation in the matter of Vance vs. Carter," Judge Vance announced, looking over her reading glasses at the defense table. "Mr. Carter, I see you are representing yourself in this civil matter today?"
Jason stood up, his hands shaking at his sides. "Your Honor... my attorney withdrew yesterday morning due to... administrative complications. I request a thirty-day continuance to secure proper legal representation."
Victoria Sterling immediately stood up. "Objection, Your Honor. The defendant has deliberately ignored three court orders to produce the financial ledgers for Carter Logistics. Every day of delay allows the defendant further opportunity to liquidate or conceal assets that belong exclusively to Mrs. Vance-Carter."
"Your Honor, I haven't liquidated anything!" Jason pleaded, his voice rising in desperation. "She froze my accounts! I can't even pay my electric bill! She stripped our home! She took my clothes, my files—"
"Mr. Carter," Judge Vance cut him off, her tone sharp as a razor. "The record shows that the property removed from the premises was either sole property held in trust by Mrs. Vance-Carter or jointly owned items inventoried under judicial supervision. Furthermore, the court has reviewed the hospital reports and the initial police statements. The physical evidence against you and your mother is damning."
Linda stood up suddenly, unable to contain her rage. "She attacked me! Your Honor, she came into my home, insulted my family, and threw herself against the counter to set us up! She's crazy! She’s using her family’s money to buy off the police!"
The courtroom gasped. The reporters began scribbling frantically in their notebooks.
Judge Vance slammed her gavel down with thunderous force. "Silence in my courtroom, Mrs. Carter! One more outburst from you and I will have the bailiff place you in custody for contempt immediately!"
Linda sank back into her seat, her face burning with humiliation as her public defender whispered frantically in her ear, desperately telling her to keep her mouth shut.
"Now," Judge Vance continued, eyeing Jason coldly. "Regarding the request for a continuance: Denied. We will proceed with the asset freezing order. Furthermore, based on the preliminary evidence presented by the petitioner regarding unauthorized transfers from Mrs. Vance-Carter’s trust, this court orders an immediate, independent audit of all business entities associated with Carter Logistics and LNC Enterprises."
"Your Honor, please!" Jason choked out. "That will destroy my business!"
"Your business's survival is secondary to the integrity of this legal proceeding, Mr. Carter," Judge Vance declared. "The freezing order remains in full effect. A temporary protective order is granted: you and your mother are to remain at least 500 feet away from Mrs. Vance-Carter, her residence, and her place of business. If you attempt to communicate with her directly or through third parties, you will be arrested on sight. Court is adjourned."
The gavel struck the block.
Victoria turned to me with a satisfied nod. "Step one complete."
As we walked down the center aisle of the courtroom, Jason stepped into the pathway, ignoring his public defender’s warning hand. The bailiffs instantly moved toward him, but I raised my hand slightly, stopping them.
Jason looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of rage, confusion, and raw panic.
"Claire... please," he whispered, his voice trembling so softly only I could hear it. "You're destroying everything. Is this what you want? To ruin my life over one mistake?"
I stopped. I looked him dead in the eyes, letting him see the utter lack of emotion, the complete death of any feeling I had ever held for him.
May you like
"It wasn't one mistake, Jason," I said softly, my voice carrying a quiet, lethal weight. "It was three years of mistakes. And this isn't me destroying your life. This is you paying the bill."
I walked past him without looking back, leaving him standing in the crowded hallway as camera flashes illuminated his utter defeat.
