Dilbert may not realize that it was a rhetorical question; Xandeross definitely doesn't. Or maybe the PHB honestly doesn't know the answer and Xandeross thinks Dilbert will get a raise if he lies to the boss... good luck with that.
We had a really bad situation involving this attitude at my old job, I redrew the first frame of this on the chalkboard in the main office, and no one had the balls to erase it for months. Thank you Mr. Adams