Chapter 17 - The Divorce Deposition
The deposition room at Vance & Sterling Legal Associates was freezing cold.
Mason sat on one side of the massive glass table, flanked by a court-appointed public defender who looked exhausted and completely unprepared. Mason’s eyes were sunken, dark circles framing his pale face. He had lost ten pounds in five days.
On the other side of the table sat Valerie, Marcus Vance, and two senior forensic accountants.
The court reporter adjusted her stenotype machine. “We are on the record in the matter of Thorne versus Sterling. Dissolution of marriage and asset division.”
Mason’s public defender cleared his throat. “Mr. Sterling is petitioning the court for temporary spousal maintenance in the amount of twelve thousand dollars per month, fifty percent equitable division of the real property at 4410 Palomino Ridge, and forty percent of Mrs. Thorne’s executive stock options earned during the duration of the marital union.”
Marcus Vance let out a single, sharp laugh that cut through the room like a scalpel.
“Is that your opening offer, counselor?” Marcus asked, opening a two-hundred-page leather dossier. “Allow me to present our counter-disclosure.”
Marcus placed a series of certified exhibits on the table.
“Exhibit A: Forensic audit demonstrating Mr. Sterling’s dissipation of marital assets in excess of six hundred and forty thousand dollars through unauthorized wire fraud.”
“Exhibit B: Notarized post-nuptial financial affirmation signed by Mr. Sterling, explicitly waiving all rights to spousal maintenance, marital equity, and corporate stock options in the event of marital dissolution.”
“Exhibit C: Signed sworn affidavit from Miss Tiffany Vance detailing the purchase of real property, vehicles, and luxury items using embezzled funds.”
Marcus leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 25-318, the court has broad discretion to award an unequal division of community property in cases of abnormal or fraudulent dissipation of assets. Mr. Sterling has dissipated more than his entire theoretical community share.”
Mason leaned over the table, his voice cracking. “Valerie! You can't leave me with nothing! I gave you seven years of my life! I supported your career!”
“You supported my career?” Valerie said, speaking directly to him for the first time in an hour. “Mason, I worked ninety hours a week while you slept until noon, played golf on my corporate pass, and took your mistress to Cabo on my airline miles. You didn't support my career. You fed on it.”
Marcus Vance slid a single final page across the table.
“This is an immediate, uncontested decree of dissolution,” Marcus said. “You waive all claims to Valerie’s assets, property, and earnings. In exchange, Valerie will refrain from pursuing a civil restitution judgment against you, which would ensure that every dollar you earn for the rest of your natural life is garnished.”
Mason’s lawyer looked at the document, leaned over, and whispered harshly into Mason’s ear: *“Sign it, Mason. If this goes to a judge, she will take your future wages, your inheritance rights, and you’ll still go to federal prison. Sign it right now.”*
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Mason’s hand shook so violently that the pen slipped twice. With tears of utter defeat streaming down his face, he pressed the nib to the paper and scribbled his name.
***