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.

nothing to me; it's easy for me to break up with her. I

a rose, caressing the

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

think you're

never expected that Lionel would say such

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

Cassandra could feel how Lionel truly felt about

insisting that she would never let Lionel go. Now, Lionel was not only

such heartless pigs!

that I'm after

had said to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to

to work alone than use

that, for the first time.

money, Qin Group would have paid off its

she felt at this particular moment. She knew that Lionel was only telling the truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from Lionel make it seem all

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

I'll have to say no again this time. Please

to the side to gesture Lionel

moments later, when Cassandra refused to move, Lionel gave up. "Fine," he started,

up from where he was seated, before

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

brought it up to her face to inspect it. It looked so delicate and beautiful. She

she tried to snap