Chapter 7 - The Reckoning Under Oath
Three months later, the deposition took place. Because of the overwhelming evidence and the federal nature of the civil suit, the Vanguards were forced to sit in Arthur’s main conference room and answer questions under penalty of perjury.
Celeste sat across from us, looking diminished. She had lost weight, her expensive hair was pulled back into a simple, unadorned knot, and her defense attorneys sat around her like a ring of nervous bodyguards.
Arthur adjusted his glasses, turned on the video recorder, and stated the date and time.
“State your name for the record,” Arthur said.
“Celeste Vanguard-Dumont,” she muttered.
“Louder, please,” Arthur said.
“Celeste Vanguard-Dumont.”
For the next four hours, Arthur didn't ask about the night of the assault. Not at first. He asked about her past. He went through every single incident from her boarding school and college days. He forced her to admit, on camera, that her family had paid off her previous victims.
“Object to the relevance,” Sterling, her lawyer, barked every ten minutes.
“The relevance is to establish a habit of violent behavior and an expectation of financial immunity,” Arthur responded coolly, never once raising his voice. “The objection is noted. Answer the question, Mrs. Dumont.”
Finally, Arthur pulled out the large glossy photographs of Maya’s injuries. He laid them out on the table, one by one, right in front of Celeste.
“On the morning of October 14th, did you place your hands around Maya Vance’s throat?”
Celeste looked at her lawyers. They remained silent.
“Answer the question,” Arthur said.
“We had an argument,” Celeste said, her voice rising, a flash of her old arrogance breaking through. “She was hysterical! She came into our home, bragging about her pregnancy, trying to force our family into accepting her. She’s a nobody! Her mother is a nurse! They have nothing!”
“Did you push her down the stairs, Celeste?” Arthur asked, his voice deadly quiet.
“She tripped!” Celeste screamed, losing her temper completely, exactly as Arthur knew she would. “She tripped because she doesn't know how to walk in a proper house! And even if I did push her, she deserved it! She’s a parasite trying to steal our family’s legacy!”
The room went completely silent. Sterling closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. He knew the case was over. The admission of malice and intent was recorded on federal digital media.
May you like
Arthur slowly gathered his papers. He looked at Celeste with a look of profound pity that seemed to cut her deeper than any insult could.
“Thank you, Mrs. Dumont,” Arthur said, turning off the recorder. “Your trial date is set for next month. I suggest you spend the remaining weeks adjusting to the idea of state-issued clothing.”
