Chapter 1282
Chapter 1282:
Annabel felt a knot of unease tighten in her chest. “Were the people from last time really that dangerous?” she asked, worried.
“No,” Rupert replied, “but they have influential supporters.” He didn’t want her involved in any of it. More than anything, he was concerned because being at sea was far riskier than being on land.
“Since when is Rupert so scared?” Annabel couldn’t resist teasing him.
At her words, Rupert’s expression darkened, and his deep-set eyes fixed on her.
Annabel immediately realized she’d overstepped. She quickly moved closer and nestled into his arms. “I’m sorry, Rupert. I just thought everything was resolved, so there was no need to worry anymore p>
She leaned against him, arms wrapped around his waist.
“Besides, I’m not that weak,” she added softly. “I can protect myself p>
Rupert’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t respond—he just looked at her in silence.
Smiling, Annabel took that as agreement. She kissed the corner of his lips lightly.
Rupert’s brow twitched as he tried to steal a proper kiss, but Annabel stopped him with her hand.
“Rupert, we’d better leave soon, or we won’t get a good view,” she said, blinking innocently.
They finally boarded the cruise ship. Annabel lay back in a lounge chair, soaking up the sun. The deck wasn’t crowded; it was quiet and peaceful—exactly the way she liked it.
“Rupert, I’m going to get some juice,” she said suddenly, sliding her sunglasses up.
But as she picked up her glass and turned, she saw a stewardess “accidentally” bump into Rupert.
The stewardess wore a shy, flustered expression that made Annabel smirk. Were all scammers this unoriginal?
With that thought, Annabel walked over, just in time to hear the stewardess whisper to Rupert, “Sir, I’m really sorry… Let me clean it up, okay p>
Her voice was soft and deliberately seductive—sweet enough to make most men’s hearts flutter.
But Rupert wasn’t most men. His eyes were cold, his displeasure unmistakable.
When he didn’t respond, the stewardess tried to move closer under the excuse of drying his clothes.
Before she could take another step, a fair hand reached out to stop her.
“No need to dry the clothes. Let’s discuss compensation. You will repay the original price, and we will consider the matter settled.” As she spoke, Annabel looked at the stewardess with a faint smile.
“Compensation? Sir, I am truly sorry, it was an accident. Your clothes must be very expensive. What should I do?” The stewardess’s eyes flickered slightly at the sight of Annabel, but she continued her performance.
Most men might have felt pity for such a beautiful and seemingly helpless woman, but Rupert did not grant her even a glance.
“What should you do? You should be working hard to pay off the debt instead of wasting time here. Or perhaps you would like me to recommend you a job?” Annabel said.