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.

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

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

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

you're

that Lionel would say such a thing. Did he

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?

Lionel truly felt about

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 that he was the

really were such

you 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

than

Cassandra noted that, for the first

his money, Qin Group would have

truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing

she didn't want to 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.

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

side to gesture Lionel towards the door. Lionel looked

when Cassandra refused to move, Lionel gave up.

he was seated, before cooly walking

of a

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

tried to