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.

what? Your break 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 with her. I think you'll like that. I'm nothing like

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

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

you're being

that Lionel would say such a thing. Did he ever

time has taken a lot of things away from me. Her face, for instance. She's starting to show wrinkles,

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

know what to feel about the 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

really were such heartless pigs!

that I'm after

Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to shake

no. I know you'd rather strive to work alone than use other people's money. I

Cassandra noted that, for the first time.

money, Qin Group would have paid off its loan by

to describe what she felt at this particular moment. She knew that Lionel was only telling the truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth

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

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

said, shifting a few steps to the side to gesture

when Cassandra refused to move, Lionel gave up.

from where he was seated, before cooly walking

shut the door in front of her and sighed, feeling incredibly tired all of a

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

her head angrily, she tried to