Chapter 15 - The Deposition
The following Tuesday, the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan was surrounded by dozens of news vans, satellite trucks, and eager reporters. The grand jury deposition of Julian Cross was scheduled for 10:00 AM.
Inside the crowded third-floor courtroom, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. Julian Cross sat at the defense table, wearing a crisp gray suit, flanked by four expensive defense attorneys. Despite his attempts to project arrogance, his twitching hands betrayed his deep anxiety.
Avery sat in the front row of the gallery, flanked by Eleanor Price, Claire Cross, and Marcus Vance.
At precisely 10:05 AM, the side doors opened, and Caroline Mercer stepped into the courtroom, accompanied by federal marshals. She wore a simple black dress, her head held high. She did not look at Julian as she walked past the defense table and took her seat in the witness box.
Julian’s lead attorney, Richard Hayes, immediately stood up. "Your Honor, we object to this witness taking the stand! Ms. Mercer’s statements are untrustworthy and influenced by improper corporate pressure from interim CEO Avery Sloan!"
The federal judge slammed her gavel down sharply. "Overruled, Mr. Hayes. The witness will speak."
Caroline took the oath, placed her hand on the Bible, and looked directly at the federal prosecutor standing at the podium.
"Ms. Mercer," the prosecutor began clearly. "Did you voluntarily provide Avery Sloan with the security access code to Room 412 at the Langford Hotel in Chicago on the night of the defendant's arrest?"
"Yes, I did," Caroline answered loudly, her voice echoing clearly throughout the courtroom.
Julian leaned forward at the defense table, glaring at her with furious eyes, but Caroline met his gaze without flinching.
"And why did you provide that access code, Ms. Mercer?" the prosecutor asked.
"Because for ten years, Julian Cross systematically manipulated me, misused millions of dollars of shareholder money, and threatened to destroy my life if I ever exposed his financial crimes," Caroline declared firmly. "He built a network of corporate fraud, blackmail, and illegal slush funds inside Blackwell Group. I helped him hide it, and I take full legal responsibility for my terrible actions. But I will no longer lie to protect him."
The courtroom erupted into muffled gasps. Reporters furiously scribbled notes in their pads.
Julian’s attorney tried desperately to cross-examine her, hurling hostile questions about her character, her affair, and her personal life. But Caroline remained completely calm, answering every question with quiet, undeniable facts that exposed every layer of Julian’s corruption.
Sitting in the gallery, Avery watched the proceedings with deep satisfaction. Julian’s slick legal defense was completely falling apart under the sheer weight of the truth.
When the deposition concluded three hours later, the federal judge rendered a swift ruling from the bench.
"Based on the compelling testimony of Ms. Mercer and the physical evidence recovered from Chicago," the judge declared, "the defense motion to dismiss is denied in its entirety. The trial date for Julian Cross is set for next month, and bail is revoked immediately."
The judge slammed her gavel down. *BANG!*
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Julian Cross turned pale as federal marshals stepped forward, ordered him to stand, and placed him in heavy wrist and ankle restraints. As he was led away through the prisoner door, Julian turned his head one last time to look at Avery Sloan sitting in the gallery.
Avery did not smile. She did not taunt him. She simply looked at him with the calm, unshakable authority of a leader who had completely reclaimed her world.
