A Graduation Gift

"What? From you?"

Cassandra was stunned, in disbelief. Lionel was thrilled at the sight of her face.

He was so proud of finally being able to surprise her.

"Of course they're from me! What, you think Rufus would ever give you something like that?"

Lionel smiled widely at her, knowing what she was thinking. He just wanted to tease her.

Cassandra couldn't hide her disappointment. Her eyebrows were scrunched together.

She had always thought that these flowers would only ever come from Rufus.

Even if she tried to refuse them, they would still be sent in anyway. He was incredibly persistent that he wouldn't even let her leave.

"Of course they're from me, Cassandra. I know Rufus has been busy recently because he was helping Miss Ke with her concert abroad. But you shouldn't trust him so easily, Cassandra. They could be enjoying a romantic time in Paris for all you know."

Lionel laughed to himself, deliberately trying to provoke Cassandra. He really wanted to see her devastated.

However Cassandra cleared her throat and held her chin up, refusing to give him what he wanted. She suppressed her devastation, trying to not look intimidated.

"We've already broken up, Lionel. There's no need for you to use him against me."

Cassandra kept her tone as calmly as she could, her face devoid of any emotion.

together. Ivy means nothing to me; it's easy for me to break up with her. I think you'll like

closer to pluck a rose, caressing the delicate

of the rose. It had been stripped clean of its thorns; the entire stem seemed to have shed a new layer, courtesy perhaps, by the meticulous florist at the flower shop.

you're being

that Lionel would say such a thing.

of years. I'm getting tired of her, honestly. Of course I loved her at the beginning, but time has taken a lot of things away from me. Her face, for instance. She's starting to show wrinkles, it's disgusting! Isn't she also only staying with me for my

about Ivy. To him, Ivy was disposable

Lionel go. Now, Lionel was not only saying that he was sick of her, but also claiming that he was the one sending all these flowers to her.

were such heartless

that I'm

memory of what she had said to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to shake the thought of Rufus's beautiful face

no. I know you'd rather strive to work alone than use other people's money. I know you're nothing

that, for the

his money, Qin Group would have paid off its loan by

She knew that Lionel was only telling the truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from

she didn't want to live on anyone's charity. She tried to fight the tears seeping out of her eyes by roughly shaking

flowers. But I'm sorry, I'll have

said, shifting a few steps to the side to gesture

Lionel gave up. "Fine," he

seated, before cooly walking past Cassandra without saying another word.

quietly shut the door in front of her and sighed, feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. She walked over to her desk, noticing the single bright red rose Lionel had left on top of

so delicate and beautiful. She suddenly remembered the times that Rufus would send her

to snap