Julian’s answers grew shorter and more condescending by the minute. He corrected Elias twice with the patience of a man humoring the elderly. His attorney smirked openly at one point.
Good.
Comfort makes arrogant men sloppy.
After nearly an hour of this, Elias pivoted so gently Julian hardly noticed.
“Other than your disclosed salary and listed accounts,” Elias said, adjusting his glasses, “do you maintain any alternative income streams, domestic or offshore?”
“No.”
“Any beneficial interest in consulting firms, advisory entities, LLCs, or shell corporations?”
“No.”
“Any holdings in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, or comparable jurisdictions?”
Julian gave a little laugh.
“No.”
He was enjoying himself.
I could picture him leaning back, one ankle over the opposite knee.
Elias shuffled pages.
“You understand you are under oath today?”
“Of course.”
“And that your disclosures to this tribunal must be complete?”
“They are.”
“Absolutely no outside real estate, no undeclared portfolios, no financial relationship with any entity other than what you’ve already submitted?”
“Correct.”
That was it.
That was the moment.
The drop.