Who Is The Real Boss?

Rupert's eyes were fixed on Annabel's face.His magnetic voice echoed in her ears, startling her.
Annabel's heart skipped a beat.She looked up and met his deep-set eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Rupert's thin lips.
"I heard every single word you said just now."
"And what exactly did I say? I don't remember."
Embarrassed and annoyed, Annabel glared at him helplessly.How dare he pretend to be in a coma in front of her! If she had
known sooner, she wouldn't have been so worried about him.
Rupert took her hand in his, rubbing it gently.
"You said that as long as I wake up, you'd be willing to do anything for me.Well, now I'm awake.Will you marry me?"
Once again, Annabel's heart skipped a beat.
"Is that supposed to be a proposal?"
She rolled her eyes, although her heart was racing in her chest.
"I'm pursuing you," Rupert answered simply.His eyes were full of affection as he looked at her.
Pursue her? Annabel’s heart beat faster.
They were in a ward.It was inappropriate to talk about this matter here.
Annabel withdrew her hand, muttering, "What I said just now doesn't count.You were just pretending to be unconscious."
"Hey, no take-backs." Rupert pursed his lips unhappily.
Annabel didn't say anything more.
A hush fell over the ward, and the atmosphere grew a little awkward.

After a few seconds, Rupert cleared his throat and broke the silence.
"I'll give you two months.Can you give me the answer I want by then?"
Annabel mulled over it for a while and then nodded seriously.
"I'll give you an answer then.I don't know if it'll be the answer you want."
Rupert nodded and leaned back in bed, complacence written all over his face.He was confident he would get the answer he
wanted.
"Aren't you supposed to be unconscious? Close your eyes.What if someone comes in and sees you're awake?"
Annabel changed the topic.
"Don't worry.My bodyguards are stationed outside," Rupert replied calmly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Annabel's phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, she saw that it was her grandfather calling.
"Grandpa,"
Annabel greeted in a sweet voice.
"Anna! Are you okay?"
Leonard's concerned voice sounded from the other end of the phone.
"Of course I'm okay," Annabel said with a smile.
"Well? Is the news true?"
"Half true.Don't worry, Grandpa.Just do whatever you usually do— go fishing or water the flowers or something.I'll take care of
things from here."
"Don't worry’? I'm not worried, my dear."
Leonard chuckled heartily.

"Rupert isn't really in a coma, am I right?"
"Grandpa, how did you know?"
Pursing her lips, Annabel had to admit that her grandfather was really impressive.
"I wasn't sure at first, but when I heard your voice, I knew I was right.After all, if your fiance was in a coma, you wouldn't sound
this calm,"
Leonard explained with a knowing smile, smoothing his beard idly.
"Grandpa, what're you talking about? He's not my fiance—not for long, anyway.I'm going to break off the engagement to him as
soon as the three-month agreement is over," Annabel said shyly, rolling her eyes at her grandfather's silliness.
"Well, alright then.I'm going to water the flowers."
After exchanging goodbyes, he hung up the phone.
Putting her phone away, Annabel turned around and met Rupert's icy cold face.
"Is what you said just now true?" he asked with a frown.
Rupert was dissatisfied because Annabel always said she was going to break off the engagement.
"You'll know when the time comes," Annabel said lightheartedly, ignoring the look of displeasure on Rupert's face.
"I already said I'll give you an answer in two months." Before Rupert could retort, they heard a knock on the door.
"Quick! Lie down," Annabel hissed in a low voice.
Rupert obediently lay down and closed his eyes.
Annabel tucked him in.
Then she went to open the door.
Judson was standing outside.
"Oh, it's you, Judson.What's up?" Annabel asked calmly.

Judson looked inside the ward and asked with concern, "How's Mr.Benton?"
Annabel lowered her eyes and sighed heavily.
"He's still unconscious."
"Oh, no.What did the doctor say? When will he wake up?" Judson asked anxiously.
Annabel shook her head and feigned a distressed expression.
"The doctor said the chance that he'll wake up is very slim."
The corners of Judson’s mouth lifted imperceptibly.He patted on Annabel's shoulder and comforted her.
"Don't worry too much.Mr.Benton will be fine.I'm sure he'll wake up soon."
"I hope so, too," Annabel said softly.
After a pause, a thought occurred to her.
"By the way, have you found out who those two dead people were?"
"Actually, that's exactly why I came."
Judson cleared his throat.
"We know the identities of the two bodies at the warehouse.They were the warehouse keepers.They tampered with the raw
materials, too."
"Huh? Why'd they do it?"
Annabel pretended to be shocked and widened her eyes.
"Here's the thing.They have always been negligent workers.The managers kept criticizing them.They couldn't handle being told
off, so they wanted to take revenge on the company." Judson shrugged.
"As for the explosion, it turns out it was a total accident.One of the warehouse keepers was smoking, which is a safety
violation.The cigarette butt landed on the radioactive raw materials, causing an explosion."

"Oh, my goodness..." Annabel frowned.
"It was something so trivial, but it has caused such a huge problem for the company."
"Now, the news about the explosion spread like wildfire on the Internet.I want to hold a press conference as soon as possible to
clarify the matter to the public.Perhaps we can still salvage the company's reputation.Annabel, what do you think?" Judson
suggested.
Annabel nodded in agreement.
"Good idea, Judson.I'll leave it to you then."
"Should I run it by Finley first?" Judson asked, pretending to be hesitant.
"Finley doesn't know what's going on here, and Rupert's in a coma.It's best if you go ahead with the press conference and clarify
things there," Annabel said seriously.
"Okay, I'll start preparing right now."
As he spoke, Judson stole another glance at Rupert, who was lying in bed motionlessly.
Then he turned around and left.
"So? What do you think? Should I become an actress instead?"
As soon as Judson left, Annabel went back to the bed and looked at Rupert expectantly.
Rupert's eyes turned cold.
Since Judson couldn't wait, Rupert decided to expose him at the press conference.