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.

good thing. It means you and I could get back together. Ivy means nothing to me; it's easy for

leaned closer to pluck a rose, caressing the delicate petals between his

been stripped clean of its thorns; the entire stem seemed to have shed a new layer, courtesy perhaps,

think you're

say such a thing. Did he ever

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 money, anyway? She doesn't

truly felt about Ivy. To him, Ivy was disposable and

entire situation. It wasn't that long ago when Ivy had confronted Cassandra by insisting that she would never let Lionel go. Now, Lionel was not only saying that he was sick of her, but also claiming that he was

such

you afraid that I'm after

to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to shake the

strive to work alone than use other people's money. I know you're nothing like

smiled, genuinely. Cassandra noted that,

really was after his money, Qin Group would have paid off

telling the truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from Lionel make it seem all the more real, and all the more embarrassing

on anyone's charity. She tried to fight the tears seeping out of

I'm sorry, I'll have to say no again this time. Please go,"

to the side to gesture Lionel towards the door. Lionel looked

to move, Lionel

before

was gone, Cassandra 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

and beautiful. She suddenly remembered the times that Rufus would send her roses just as

angrily, she tried to