Ch. The Campus Queen’s Billionaire Husband Is My Secret Spouse” 16 The Campus Queen’s Billionaire Husband Is My Secret Spouse” 16

Chapter 16 

That comment wasn’t whispered. It was loud enough for the three tables nearby to hear clearly. 

Beatrice’s expression darkened instantly. 

“What is that supposed to mean?” 

“It means that the reason Summit Group’s competitors don’t dare touch him isn’t because of Pierce’s own brilliance. It’s because he married me.” 

Just then, a stir rippled through the ballroom entrance. 

An elderly man with a full head of white hair but a spine of steel walked in, flanked by three assistants. 

Thomas Sterling. 

He swept his gaze across the room the second he entered. 

Then his eyes landed on me. 

He strode straight across the ballroom, bypassing table after table of people trying to get his attention, without pausing for a soul. 

He stopped right in front of me. 

“You must be old man Coates’ girl.” 

His voice boomed. 

“You’re the spitting image of your father at your age. 

He reached out and patted my shoulder, a gesture of warm, generational respect. 

“Do you have any idea how many lives that research your father pioneered back in the day saved? I’m not just saying this to flatter you- the entire medical tech industry in Veridia Metro wouldn’t be where it is today without the work of his team.” 

The ballroom went deathly silent. 

Beatrice’s mouth hung slightly open, stunned. 

Amber’s smile finally cracked. 

Thomas Sterling turned, shooting a glance at Amber, then at Beatrice. 

“And these two are?” 

r 

“I’m… I’m Pierce Mason’s mother.” Beatrice said, her voice dropping an octave. 

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Thomas Sterling gave a disinterested “Oh” and moved on. 

“Pierce Mason, right. The company’s doing alright. But that empire? It only stands because of his father-in-law’s reputation. Everyone in this circle knows that.” 

He spoke with such casual dismissal. 

As if he were stating a common, undisputed fact. 

But it hit harder than any argument ever could. 

Beatrice went from red to ashen. 

Amber took a half-step back. 

Sterling didn’t give them another look. He led me toward the other side of the room. 

“Come, Coates. Let’s talk about this partnership.” 

I walked away with him. 

As I passed Amber, I didn’t look at her. 

But I could feel her eyes burning into me, following my every move from across the room. 

Her gaze didn’t break, not even once, until I took my seat beside Thomas Sterling. 

The day after the gala, Pierce showed up at the lab gates. 

Director Harrison notified me while I was cleaning up my experimental data. 

“Your husband is here. He’s waiting at the gate.” 

“Let him wait.” 

“He said he’ll wait as long as it takes.” 

I grabbed a stack of files and headed to the guardhouse. Pierce was pacing outside the gate, hands shoved deep in his pockets. 

He took two quick steps forward when he saw me. 

“Eleanor…” 

“Go ahead. Five minutes.” 

He hesitated, seemingly organizing his thoughts. 

“What happened with Amber, it’s my fault from start to finish. She helped me out at a few dinners, I gave 

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her some perks, and she just kept pushing for more. But I never once thought about marrying her. 

“You let her sit in your car, brought her to our home, and let her take photos in your study.” 

“That one time was… 

“You sent her a text saying ‘Miss you’.” 

Pierce froze. 

“I never sent her a text saying ‘Miss you’.” 

“She has the screenshot.” 

“It’s stitched together. You can pull my phone records if you want.” 

I looked at him, saying nothing. 

“Eleanor, I’ve messed up. Badly. But I never wanted to leave you. I won’t sign those papers. As for my mother, I’ll handle her.” 

“Your mother already has lawyers preparing the divorce agreement.” 

“I know. I’m not signing it.” 

“And if you don’t? Your mother is calling the shots.” 

Pierce ground his back teeth together. 

“She isn’t calling the shots. She’s clueless. She doesn’t know who you are.” 

“You can’t tell her.” 

“I know.” 

He stayed silent for a long moment. 

“So, I’m taking care of Amber first. I’ll clear her out of the house and expose those fake texts.” 

“And then I’ll make my mother realize exactly what kind of person Amber is.” 

“Can you actually do that?” 

“Whether I can or not, I have to.” 

I watched him for a beat. 

“Five minutes is up.” 

“Eleanor…” 

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“Get it done, then come find me.” 

I turned and walked back through the gates. 

Chapter 16