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.

back together. Ivy means nothing to me; it's easy for

a rose, caressing the delicate petals between his

had been stripped clean of its thorns; the entire stem seemed to have shed

you think you're being

Lionel would say such a

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 even make it entertaining for me

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

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 the one sending all these flowers to her. Wasn't he technically cheating

really were such heartless

you afraid that I'm after your money,

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

strive to work alone than use other people's money.

smiled, genuinely. Cassandra noted that,

Qin Group would have paid off its

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 and

want to live on anyone's charity. She tried to fight the

I'm sorry, I'll have to say no

a few steps to the side to gesture Lionel towards the door. Lionel

Cassandra refused to move, Lionel gave up. "Fine,"

before cooly walking past Cassandra

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

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

she tried to snap out