The Campus Queen’s Billionaire Husband Is My Secret Spouse - Chapter (22)
Ch. The Campus Queen’s Billionaire Husband Is My Secret Spouse” 22 The Campus Queen’s Billionaire Husband Is My Secret Spouse” 22
Chapter 22
The line went silent for a moment.
“Eleanor, I deserved that But this…”
“You handle your end. I’ll handle mine.”
I hung up.
The next morning, I had Dr. Helen set up a meeting for me.
Sloane.
She was Amber’s best friend in college, until they had a falling out over an internship Amber had stolen from
her.
Amber didn’t know that Sloane and I had met once before. Four years ago, at an academic event, she’d been a
volunteer who handed me the mic.
Dr. Helen had run a background check on her.
She was an executive director at a mid-sized PR firm in Veridia Metro. She was talented but had been stuck
in a rut.
I met Sloane at a teahouse.
“Ms. Coates,” she said as she sat down, “I’m guessing you called me here about Amber Howard.”
“You’re still keeping tabs on her?”
“Hard not to.” She gave a bitter, sharp smile. “The stunt she pulled on those forums? I knew it was her signature move. She’s been the same since our university days-she’ll charm you to your face while sharpening her blade behind your back.”
“I need a favor.”
“Shoot.”
୮
“The fact that Amber is meeting with Blackwood from Ironwood needs to get out. But it can’t trace back to
me.”
Sloane thought for a second.
“How wide of a net?”
“Just the Veridia Metro business circles.”
“How long?”
Chapter 22
78.57%
S Shortmax Spark
>
“Three days.”
She raised her tea cup.
“Done.”
News traveled even faster than three days.
Sloane’s method was surgical. She didn’t post it herself or tip off the press; she just dropped a few hints using burner accounts in business social groups.
[Did you hear Amber Howard took Summit Group’s internal data to Ironwood?)
[No way. That’s corporate espionage, right?]
[Does Pierce know?]
It was like throwing a grenade into a calm pond.
Business circles didn’t fear scandals, they feared internal leaks to the competition.
Almost overnight, the few people who still sympathized with Amber-a handful of family friends and a few charity board members-distanced themselves.
Blackwood was in even worse shape.
He was already under scrutiny from regulators. Being linked to a backroom deal with Pierce’s former “fiancée” changed the game entirely.
His partners called him overnight, demanding he cut ties.
Pierce’s assistant forwarded a screenshot to me.
It was a statement Blackwood had posted in a professional networking group. One sentence:
r
[Ironwood Development has no partnership with Ms. Amber Howard. Any previous contact was a personal matter, and the company was unaware.]
Translation: I don’t know her. Don’t drag me down with her.
Amber’s final card had been played.
Director Harrison called ine right then.
“Coates, you don’t need to worry about the forums anymore. The higher-ups caught wind of the situation and handled the platform. Anything involving your classified info is being wiped.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Chapter 22
Snark
>
78.57%
“Also, I have news.”
“What is it?
“The lab’s annual honors list is out. You’re on it.”
“At what level?”
“Institute-wide. The ceremony is next month. There’ll be a public press release. Your name and your research contributions will be listed. It’s not national news, but the industry will see it.”
I froze.
For ten years, my status and my work had remained entirely in the shadows.
“Is this an organizational decision?”
“Yes. Given your recent situation, they decided it was time to clear the air. No classified details, just your research field and project impact.”
“Understood.”
“One more thing.” Director Harrison’s tone softened.
“The pieces from your parents’ heirloom-I had a specialist look at them. They’re mostly intact. They can be restored with Kintsugi. It won’t look like new, but it will hold its shape.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
“Bring the pieces in. I’ll see that they get to the artisan.”
“Okay.”
I hung up.
I stood by the window, watching the rows of ancient sycamores in the courtyard.
A breeze rolled through.
The leaves flipped, showing their pale undersides.
The shards in my pocket pressed against my leg.
I pulled them out and counted again.
Seven pieces.
Not a single one missing.
Chapter 22
ľ
78.57%
Collect
0
Chapter 22
>
78.57%
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
