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.

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

caressing the delicate petals between

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

think you're being unfair to

Lionel would say such a thing.

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.

could feel how Lionel truly felt about Ivy. To him, Ivy was disposable and immediately

never let 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.

really were such

afraid that I'm after your

asked as she was suddenly reminded of the painful memory of what she had said to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to shake the thought of

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

genuinely. Cassandra noted that, for

his money, Qin Group would have paid off its loan

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 the more real, and all the more

live on anyone's charity. She tried to fight the tears seeping out of her eyes by roughly shaking her head and clearing her throat, her attention whirring back towards Lionel.

for the flowers. But I'm sorry, I'll

steps to the side to gesture

later, when Cassandra refused to move, Lionel gave up. "Fine," he started, "I'll

was seated, before cooly walking past Cassandra without saying

her and sighed, feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. She walked over to her desk, noticing the single bright red rose

beautiful. She

angrily, she tried to snap out