Chapter 4 - Deposition Day
The conference room at Vance & Associates was freezing cold, a deliberate tactic to keep the opposing side uncomfortable. Daniel sat across from Claire, flanked by three lawyers. He looked exhausted, the sharp edges of his tailored suit unable to hide the dark circles under his eyes.
Claire sat perfectly poised, wearing a sharp navy blue blazer. She looked younger, lighter, as if the burden of carrying a dying marriage had been lifted from her shoulders.
Victoria Vance turned on the digital audio recorder. "This is the deposition of Daniel Bennett in the matter of Bennett v. Bennett. Let the record show all parties are present."
Daniel’s attorney, a man named Henderson, spoke up. "Let’s make this quick. My client is prepared to offer Mrs. Bennett the primary residence, a lump-sum payment of five million dollars, and generous spousal support for the next seven years. In exchange, she signs a full release of her corporate shares and drops the injunction regarding the Lakeshore project."
Victoria looked at Claire, who simply gave a slight nod.
"The offer is insulting," Victoria stated flatly. "And it completely ignores the fraudulent conveyance of assets."
Daniel leaned forward, glaring at Claire. "Claire, be reasonable. Five million dollars is more than enough for you to live comfortably forever. Don't let your pride ruin the company. If the company fails, everyone loses. The kids lose."
"Do not bring the children into this, Daniel," Claire said, her voice cutting through the room like a diamond cutter. "You cared so little for their future that you were willing to deplete their trusts to fund your mistress's lifestyle. Let's talk about MC Capital Holdings, shall we?"
Claire pulled a document from her own briefcase. "On November 14th of last year, you transferred four hundred thousand dollars from the Bennett Development emergency reserve fund to an account in the Cayman Islands. Three days later, that exact amount was used to purchase a luxury condominium in Miami under Madison Cole's name. Henderson, did your client mention that to you?"
Attorney Henderson looked down at his notes, his silence confirming he had been kept in the dark by his own client.
"That's corporate embezzlement," Victoria added cheerfully. "And since Bennett Development receives federal grants for infrastructure projects, that qualifies as a federal offense. We aren't just talking about a divorce settlement anymore, Daniel. We are talking about potential jail time."
Daniel’s face drained of color. He looked at Henderson, but his lawyer was busy rubbing his temples.
"What do you want, Claire?" Daniel whispered, his bravado completely gone.
"I want fifty percent of the true valuation of Bennett Development," Claire said. "I want the children's trust funds fully restored and placed under the sole trusteeship of myself and an independent bank. I want the house, completely unencumbered by corporate debt. And I want you to step down as Chief Executive Officer, allowing the board to appoint a neutral party until the transition is complete."
"You're insane!" Daniel exploded, half-rising from his chair. "I am the company! Without me, the board is nothing!"
"The board is terrified of a federal investigation, Daniel," Claire replied calmly. "I spoke with the three major shareholders yesterday morning. They are very fond of me. They remember who kept the company out of regulatory trouble for twenty years. They've already agreed to call an emergency board meeting for tomorrow afternoon to vote on your suspension."
Daniel sank back into his chair, staring at the woman he had dismissed for a decade as 'just a housewife.' He had thought she was weak because she was kind. He had thought she was silent because she had nothing to say. He had completely miscalculated the depth of her intellect and the ferocity of her love for her children.
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"You ruined us," Daniel muttered bitterly.
"No, Daniel," Claire said, standing up and closing her briefcase. "You ruined yourself the moment you brought your mistress into my home and tried to put my children's mother in the basement. I am just balancing the ledger."
