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.

it's easy for me to break up with her. I think you'll like that. I'm nothing

rose, caressing the delicate petals between his fingers.

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

you're being unfair to

never expected that Lionel would say such

good number 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

Cassandra could feel how Lionel truly felt about Ivy. To him,

Now, Lionel was not only saying that

really were such heartless

that I'm after your

of the painful memory of what she had said to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to shake the

know you'd rather strive to work alone than use other people's money. I know

smiled, genuinely. Cassandra noted that,

really was after his money, Qin Group

too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from Lionel make it

want to live on anyone's charity. She tried to fight the tears seeping out of her eyes by roughly shaking her head

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

side to gesture Lionel towards the door. Lionel looked at

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

gently stood up from where he was seated, before cooly walking past Cassandra without saying

feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. She walked over to her desk, noticing the single bright red rose Lionel had left on top

face to inspect it. It looked so delicate and beautiful. She suddenly remembered the times that Rufus would send her roses just as exquisite as

tried to snap out of her