Chapter 3: The New Secretary

Annabel walked away with a forced smile. Cathy exploded.

“You bumpkin! Stop right there! I’m not done talking! Let me tell you, Rupert won’t marry you!”

Just then, Rupert entered the room.

“Erm… Rupert…” Cathy stammered, recoiling in fear.

Rupert’s face darkened. His anger was evident, silencing Cathy.

Annabel asked a maid to show her to her room. She unpacked and then went downstairs for breakfast. Erica, Cathy, and Rupert were already seated at the dining table. Erica immediately began to criticize her.

“Weren’t you taught proper etiquette? Not only did you wake up so late, but you also didn’t bother preparing breakfast. Do you think you’re already the hostess here?”

Glancing at Erica, Annabel replied flatly, “I’m not a servant, either.”

She had no intention of cooking for this family. Though Rupert remained silent during the argument, his dislike for Annabel was palpable. The atmosphere was tense. They ate mostly in silence.

After breakfast, Erica presented Annabel with a bank card.

“This card has about five thousand dollars. Buy yourself some decent clothes before going to the company. Remember to behave yourself. You mustn’t cause any trouble for Rupert.”

To foster their relationship, Bruce suggested Annabel work at the company as Rupert’s secretary. Leonard Hewitt, Annabel’s grandfather, approved the arrangement. Annabel didn’t object; it was only temporary. Her new job was insignificant compared to the bank card—a clear indication of Erica’s disdain.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Annabel said sarcastically. Her clothes, custom-made, were perfectly acceptable to her, unlike the Bentons’ assessment.

Without waiting for a response, she went upstairs to prepare for work. She had just entered her room when her phone buzzed. A bank notification: fifty million dollars had been transferred into her account. A text from Leonard followed:

“Dear, I hope they’re treating you well. I transferred some money. Buy whatever you want. And don’t forget to tell me if anyone bullies you. I love you.”

Annabel smiled and replied, “Grandpa, I’m not happy here. They’re bullying me. It’s not funny at all.”

Leonard replied almost instantly, “Glad to hear that. Anyway, I’m going fishing. Talk to you later.”

Annabel was astonished. Sighing, she put on a professional suit and left the house. The driver opened the car door for her, revealing Rupert already inside.

“Didn’t you say you had no interest in me? Why did you agree to work as my secretary?” His charming voice held a hint of irony, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Don’t get any ideas. I promised my grandpa to stay with you for three months. Once that’s over, we’ll cancel the marriage,” Annabel replied indifferently.

“Huh?” Rupert sneered. “Aren’t you worried you’ll fall in love with me in the next three months? You’ll be reluctant to leave then.”

Annabel found his words amusing.

“Funny you, Rupert. You clearly have a swollen head. For your information, I will never fall for you. Get off your high horse.”

While she acknowledged Rupert’s good looks, his repulsive character was a major turn-off.

Rupert’s face fell. Never? “We’ll see about that, Annabel. Don’t forget what you just said!”

Rupert believed Annabel was playing hard to get. Why else would she be in his home if she didn’t care for him or want to be his wife? Annabel smiled. “Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t worry. In three months, we’ll go our separate ways. By the way, we have to pretend not to know each other at the company. I don’t want unnecessary drama there.”

Rupert remained silent. Unknown to Annabel, she couldn’t avoid workplace drama. News of Rupert’s engagement, and his fiancée’s rural background, had spread like wildfire. Benton Group employees were abuzz.

“Guys, have you heard? Mr. Benton’s fiancée will work here as his secretary!”

“Oh my! I heard she’s ugly, from the countryside, and poor. She must have gone to a terrible college. Can she even understand the documents?”

“Ha-ha! You can say that again. She won’t even know how to operate a computer!”

The gossiping ceased abruptly as Rupert and Annabel entered. Everyone’s jaws dropped.