Chapter 8 - The Deposition Trap
Two weeks later, a formal civil deposition was convened in a high-security conference room at the federal courthouse.
Julian was brought in wearing leg irons and handcuffs, flanked by his public defender. Across the long oak table sat Audrey, her father Arthur, and Sarah Lin.
The purpose of the deposition was to determine the final division of contested properties before the criminal trial commenced.
Julian’s public defender leaned over. "Keep your answers short, Julian. Do not lie. The federal prosecutor is sitting in the corner."
The court reporter began typing as Sarah Lin stood up.
"Mr. Vance," Sarah began, setting a tape recorder on the table. "I want to address the events of July 14th—the morning before your arrest. On that morning, did you place a makeup bag on your wife’s bed?"
Julian raised his chin, attempting to look dignified despite his chains. "I don't recall."
"Did you instruct her to cover her bruises with green concealer because your mother was coming for lunch?"
"Absolute nonsense," Julian lied smoothly under oath. "I never laid a hand on Audrey. Any physical marks she possessed were from an unfortunate fall in the bathroom due to her own clumsiness. I was merely offering her my mother’s cosmetic bag out of concern."
Audrey sat perfectly still, watching him dig his own grave.
"So," Sarah continued calmly, "you maintain under oath that you never struck your wife, never threatened her, and never attempted to force her to transfer her townhouse deed?"
"I swear to it on my life," Julian said boldly, looking directly at Audrey with a sneer. "She is unstable and fabricating this entire narrative for financial gain."
Sarah looked over at Arthur Vance, who gave a single, slow nod.
Sarah tapped her tablet screen. "Your Honor, let the record show that we are now submitting Exhibit 14-B: the fully restored audio file from the bedroom security node on the morning of July 14th."
Julian’s eyes snapped wide open. "What?!"
A crisp, high-definition audio recording blared through the conference room speakers:
[SOUND OF MAKEUP BAG SLAMMING ON BED] JULIAN'S VOICE: "Mom’s coming for lunch. Cover those bruises and act like everything’s fine." AUDREY'S VOICE: "This place is mine..." JULIAN'S VOICE: "Not for long. Use the green concealer. It hides purple."
The room fell dead silent.
Julian’s public defender buried his face in his hands. The federal prosecutor in the corner immediately began writing on his notepad.
Julian stared at the speaker in horror, his lips trembling, his face turning an unsightly shade of purple.
"You... you restored the audio?" Julian choked out. "I deleted the local server drive!"
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Audrey leaned forward across the table, speaking for the first time all morning. Her voice was as calm and sweet as venom.
"I told you on day one, Julian," Audrey said softly. "You never had control of this house. And you just committed perjury on a federal record."
