Who Is The Real Boss?

The expose about Benton Group's jewelry containing some radioactive material became one of the top five hottest news online.It
caused a huge sensation.
"sir, should I order someone to water down the negative news?" Finley asked for Rupert's permission.
"No need."
Rupert rubbed his temples, feeling a headache.
"That will be a wrong move since the matter has already spread.People will accuse us of gagging the media, saying we're guilty."
"You are right, sir." Finley nodded in understanding.
"Our top priority now is to find out the truth." Rupert frowned, clenching his fists.
Many allegations of the Ice and Fire jewelry had popped up.
The allegations were putting Benton Group in a negative light.
If care wasn't taken, their jewelry brand would be blacklisted by all.
"I'll get the best hands to investigate it as soon as possible," Finley said seriously and then left.
Meanwhile, Annabel placed a hold on the sale of the Ice and Fire series.
The distributed ones were brought back, and she asked the lab to test all of them.
The results of the investigation soon came out.
In the CEO's office "I've got some preliminary results about the Ice and Fire series."
Finley handed the documents containing all he had gathered in the past few days to Rupert.
"What did you find out?" Annabel asked impatiently.
Finley answered, "We were able to certify that all those who claimed to have gotten poisoned by the jewelry indeed bought the
Ice and Fire products from the authorized distribution channels."

Finley sighed and continued, "Upon testing the products they bought, we discovered that they do contain some harmful radiation
material."
"How can that be?"
Annabel's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Is that to say that they got poisoned from wearing the Ice and Fire jewelry?"
"Yes.That's what the investigation and lab testing point at," Finley replied with a look of regret.
Annabel rubbed her temples.
This unexpected result gave her a splitting headache.
She had thought the complainants were people who got paid to set Benton Group up, but it turned out that wasn't the case.
"Have you found out why the products had some radioactive material?"
Rupert piped up, flipping through the document in his hand.
"No, sir."
Finley shook his head.
"But I noticed something strange.All the defective jewelry was produced by the factory in France and sold there too."
Annabel tapped her chin for a while.
Afterward, she called the person in charge of quality assurance in the French factory.
"Annabel Hewitt speaking.How is the testing coming along?"
"Hello, Annabel.I have assigned someone to test all the products.The results will be out soon."
"Inform me as soon as the results come out," Annabel ordered with all seriousness.
"Okay, will do!"
The QA officer agreed without hesitation.

After hanging up the phone, Annabel looked at Rupert and said, "It seems that there is something shady going on in the factory
in France.It can't be a coincidence that all the rejected jewelry came from there.The way I see it, someone tampered with the
quality just to get us into trouble with the authorities."
Just as Rupert began to speak, the door to the CEO's office was kicked open from outside.
Erica and Cathy stormed in with two men on their heels.
"Mom, why are you here?" Rupert frowned, holding his head.
Turning a deaf ear to her son's question, Erica walked straight to Annabel and slapped a newspaper in front of her.
"It's good that you are here, Annabel.Look at what you have done!"
Annabel lowered her eyes.
There was a screaming headline on the front page about the harmful radiation allegations.
"We were discussing the matter before your arrival," Annabel said politely, forcing a smile.
"You were discussing it?" Erica hissed.
"What is there to discuss? I have said time and time again that you are a jinx, Annabel.
Such a big thing happened to Benton Group because of you.Why do you still have the face to come here?"
Annabel retorted, "There's nothing indicating that I am to blame for what's happening.The matter is still under investigation.Don’t
you think it's too early to blame me?"
Erica snorted.
"Why can't I blame you? Aren't you in charge of the Ice and Fire project? Since this problem arose, isn't the person in charge to
be blamed for it?"
"My auntie is right, Annabel! This is all your fault.If you have any conscience, you would take the fall and turn in your resignation
letter.Don't remain here shamelessly.Or do you want to be driven away?"
Cathy chipped in, snarling at Annabel.

The smile on Annabel’s face was unmoved.
"It's true that I'm in charge of the Ice and Fire project.But if we are to judge based on your logic, shouldn't Rupert, the CEO of this
company, be blamed for what happened? should he resign too?"
Finley's jaw dropped when he heard this.How dare Annabel say that? And in front of Rupert too! Unable to retort, Erica turned to
Rupert and said, "Did you hear her? Fire her right now!"
"Mom, that's my decision to make.Please don't meddle in the company's affairs." Rupert pulled his tie irritably.He walked to the
door and opened it.
"I'm very busy.Please leave, and take Cathy and these men with you."
"Why are you acting like this, Rupert? Auntie came here because she's worried about you," Cathy yelled.
"You can't allow Annabel to continue working here.Otherwise, this company will be brought to the ground in no time."
Rupert cast a cold glance at Cathy.
"Remember that you aren't even a real Benton!"
"How could you?"
Cathy was heartbroken.
She was adopted, but that didn't mean she didn't have more rights in the Benton family than this bumpkin called Annabel!
"Rupert, you will regret letting Annabel stay in Benton Group!"
Erica glared at her son and left with her minions the same way they came.
"Don't be offended, Annabel.You know how they are."
Rupert looked at Annabel apologetically.
"I understand."
Annabel shrugged with a smile.

Suddenly, her phone rang.She looked down and saw that it was from the QA officer in the French factory.
"What's the update? Are the results out?" she inquired as soon as she answered the call.
"Yes."
The QA officer's voice came from the other end of the line.
"After testing all the products here, it has been ascertained that some of them contain some radiative material."
"Okay, I see," said Annabel coldly.
After ending the call, she said to Rupert with a serious expression, "The test results indicate that there's indeed something fishy
going on in the French factory."