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

pluck a rose, caressing the

clean of its thorns; the entire stem seemed to have

you think you're being unfair to

never expected 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

could feel how Lionel truly felt about

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 that he was the

such

you afraid that I'm after

the painful memory of what she had said to Rufus when she first rejected him.

work alone than use other people's money. I

Cassandra noted that, for the first time.

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

the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from Lionel make it seem all the more real, and all

to fight the tears seeping

Thank you for the flowers. But I'm sorry, I'll have to say no again this

the side to gesture Lionel

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

seated, before

the door in front of her and sighed, feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. She walked over to her desk, noticing the single bright red rose Lionel had left

brought it up 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 exquisite

head angrily, she tried to snap