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.

means nothing to me; it's easy for me to break up with her. I think you'll like that. I'm nothing like

caressing the delicate

clean of its thorns; the entire stem seemed to have shed a new layer, courtesy perhaps, by the

think you're being unfair

Lionel would say such

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 only staying with me for my money, anyway?

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

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

such

afraid that I'm after your money,

she had said to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to shake the thought of Rufus's beautiful face off her

to work alone than

that, for the

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

was also extremely stubborn. She knew that 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

shifting a few steps to the side to gesture Lionel towards the door. Lionel looked at her

to move, Lionel gave up. "Fine," he

seated, before cooly walking past Cassandra without saying another word.

a sudden. She walked over to her

inspect it. It looked so delicate and beautiful. She suddenly remembered the times that Rufus would send her

head angrily, she tried to snap out