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.

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 Rufus. I

leaned closer to pluck a rose, caressing the delicate

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 florist at the

you think you're being unfair

never expected that Lionel would say such a thing. Did he ever love Ivy?

I've already been with Ivy for a 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

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

go. Now, Lionel

really were such heartless pigs!

that I'm after

suddenly reminded of the painful memory of what she had said to Rufus when she

know you'd rather strive to work alone than

noted that, for the first

really was after his money, Qin Group would have paid off its loan

unable to describe what she felt at this particular moment. She knew that Lionel was only telling the truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from Lionel make it

to fight the tears seeping out of her eyes by

sorry, I'll have to say

gesture Lionel towards the door. Lionel looked at

to move, Lionel

gently stood up from where he was seated, before cooly

he was gone, Cassandra quietly shut the door in front of her and sighed, feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. She walked over to her desk,

face to inspect it. It looked so delicate and beautiful. She suddenly

tried to snap