Chapter 10 - Preparing For The Deposition
The legal war room was set up on the long dining table where Lily had first asked to share my steak and vegetables. Spread across the polished dark wood were hundreds of pages of financial audits, employment contracts, medical affidavits, and secret correspondence detailing Julian Vance's systematic coercion of former estate employees. Our lead attorney, a razor-sharp litigator named Harrison, leaned over the table pointing a silver pen at a highlighted clause in Clara's original non-disclosure agreement.
"If we file this emergency motion in federal court on Monday morning, we bypass the local family court judges Julian has pocketed," Harrison explained, adjusting his glasses as he looked between Clara and me. "It alleges institutional intimidation, forced isolation, and wrongful retention of a minor under corporate duress. But it requires Clara to testify under oath about everything she witnessed while working at the estate."
Clara sat rigidly in her chair, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. The prospect of facing Julian Vance across a federal deposition table clearly terrified her, yet the fierce protectiveness in her posture outweighed her fear. "I'll say whatever I have to say," Clara said, her voice steady though her breath hitched slightly. "As long as Lily is safe. As long as he can never touch her again."
I placed my hand over hers on the dark wood table, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers before she relaxed beneath my touch. "You won't be alone in that room, Clara," I said, every word weighted with absolute conviction. "I'm putting every resource, every lawyer, and every ounce of influence I possess behind this defense. Julian Vance is going to find out what happens when he picks a fight he can't buy his way out of."
Harrison nodded approvingly, gathering his papers into a leather briefcase. "I'll file the injunction tonight, Mr. Thorne. Expect fireworks as soon as the court opens on Monday. We need to keep Ms. Evans and the child securely inside the mansion until the deposition concludes."
When Harrison left, the private dining room settled back into a deep, heavy silence. The afternoon light filtered through the tall leaded windows, casting warm amber tones across the oil painting on the wall and the empty porcelain plate sitting nearby. Clara leaned back in her chair, letting out a long, shuddering breath as the overwhelming weight of the upcoming legal battle temporarily lifted.
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"You didn't have to stake your entire reputation on us," Clara whispered softly, looking across the table with a vulnerability that pierced straight through my remaining defenses.
"I didn't stake my reputation, Clara," I replied, holding her gaze with unwavering intensity. "I finally found something worth risking it for."
