Chapter 16 - The Grand Deposition
The formal legal depositions took place in a sunlit conference room on the thirty-second floor of the New York Supreme Court building. While Ethan remained locked away in federal detention, his defense counsel was forced to sit through a brutal, systematic dismantling of his entire financial and professional history.
Priya Patel presented the definitive digital forensic timeline, walking the court through every fraudulent transaction, every spoofed IP address, and every forged corporate signature with unflinching precision.
'The evidence demonstrates a premeditated, multi-month conspiracy designed to misappropriate corporate funds and steal proprietary software source code,' Priya testified calmly, her voice echoing clearly through the recording equipment. 'At no point did Bennett Event Systems authorize, sponsor, or endorse any expenditures related to Mr. Cole's wedding or personal lifestyle.'
The presiding magistrate, a seasoned federal judge with zero tolerance for white-collar fraud, listened intently, occasionally making sharp notes on his legal pad.
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When the deposition concluded, Rachel Monroe leaned over to Claire with a quiet smirk. 'Well, that officially seals the civil restitution order. Every remaining asset Ethan holds—from his luxury watch collection to his hidden crypto wallets—will be liquidated to cover legal fees and corporate damages.'
'Let it be a thorough liquidation,' Claire replied quietly, adjusting her blazer cuffs. 'Leave him nothing to rebuild another illusion with.'
