Chapter 7 - The Deposition of Truth
The conference room at Vance & Associates was lined with dark wood and heavy leather chairs. Today was the formal deposition of Diane Hayes. The matriarch of Scottsdale society sat across the table from Naomi, looking noticeably diminished. Her designer suit looked slightly wrinkled, her skin pale, and her signature pearl necklace was missing—likely hidden away or sold to cover her immediate legal expenses.
Beside her sat Richard Sterling, who looked as though he would rather be anywhere else in the world than defending the sinking ship of the Hayes family.
Arthur Vance turned on the digital audio recorder. "This is the deposition of Diane Hayes in the matter of Hayes versus Hayes. Miss Fletcher, you may begin the accounting inquiry."
Arthur nodded to Naomi. For this session, Naomi wasn't just the client—she was the lead forensic auditor.
She opened a thick ledger, her fingers moving with absolute confidence. "Mrs. Hayes, let's look at the financial year 2024. On March 14th, the Hayes Charitable Foundation recorded a wire transfer of four hundred and fifty thousand dollars to a vendor listed as 'Desert Rose Landscaping.' Can you explain why the routing number for 'Desert Rose Landscaping' matches your personal offshore account at the Bank of Antigua?"
Diane glared at Naomi, her eyes burning with a venomous hatred. "I don't have to answer these absurd questions from a girl we took in out of charity."
"Actually, Mrs. Hayes, you do," Arthur Vance cut in smoothly. "You are under oath. Failing to answer will result in an immediate motion to compel and an automatic referral for civil obstruction."
Diane looked at her lawyer, but Sterling simply looked down at his yellow notepad, refusing to meet her eyes. He knew they were completely defenseless.
"It was... it was an administrative reallocation," Diane muttered, her voice trembling with humiliation.
"An administrative reallocation that conveniently paid the mortgage on your summer home in Aspen," Naomi said, her voice entirely devoid of emotion as she turned to the next page. "Let's move to June 2025. Your son, Trevor, signed a corporate expense voucher for three hundred thousand dollars for 'technological upgrades' at the estate. The invoices were generated by a company that doesn't exist on any corporate registry. The funds were actually used to purchase a pristine 2025 Porsche Cayenne, which is currently registered in Chloe Vance's name."
Diane clutched her head in her hands. "Trevor is a grown man! Whatever he does with his private life is none of my business!"
"It became your business when you used the charity's tax-exempt status to shield the purchase from federal gift taxes, Diane," Naomi said softly, closing the ledger with a quiet, final click. "For three years, you told me that I was lucky to live under your roof. You told me that most women would love the life of service I was forced into. But the truth is, you didn't want a daughter-in-law. You wanted an unpaid servant who would look the other way while your family bled your own company dry."
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Richard Sterling stood up, sliding his chair back. "We are suspending the deposition. My clients would like to discuss a global settlement offer, Mr. Vance. We will concede to all of the respondent's terms regarding asset division, spousal maintenance, and full sole custody of the minor child."
Naomi stood up, looking down at Diane, who was now quietly weeping into her hands. "The settlement will include the total liquidation of Hayes Enterprises' hidden reserves, the transfer of the Scottsdale estate to the Salazar Family Trust for abused mothers, and your full, unconditional cooperation with the federal investigation. Otherwise, we see you at trial next Monday."
