Chapter 4 - The Deposition
Armed with the ledger, Helen called for a deposition. We sat in a sterile conference room across from Evelyn and Sterling. Evelyn looked less confident today; the air of superiority was slipping.
"Mrs. Vance," Helen began, her tone lethal. "You claim you were 'forced away' by Arthur. Yet, we have bank records showing Arthur wired you ten thousand dollars in 2008, accompanied by a note that said, 'For Leo's mother. Never contact my son again.' Did you accept this money?"
Evelyn shifted in her chair, her eyes darting to Sterling. "I... I was in a difficult financial position. I meant to come back for Leo."
"For eighteen years?" Helen pressed. "A very long traffic jam, Mrs. Vance."
I watched the woman who gave birth to me. There was no maternal warmth in her eyes, only calculation.
"Arthur was unstable!" Evelyn snapped, her voice rising. "He hid his wealth! If I had known he was sitting on millions in commercial real estate, I would have stayed!"
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The room went dead silent. Even Sterling closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. She had just admitted it on the record. It was never about me. It was never about family. It was only ever about the money.
"Thank you, Mrs. Vance," Helen said coldly. "That will be all."
