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 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 wouldn't

pluck a rose, caressing the delicate petals

the stem 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

you think you're being unfair to

Lionel would say such a thing. Did he ever love

away from me. Her face, for instance. She's

Lionel truly felt about

would never let Lionel go. Now, Lionel was not

really were such

you afraid that I'm after

she had said to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to

than use other

that, for the first

Qin Group would have paid off its

knew that Lionel was only telling the truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from Lionel

didn't want to live on anyone's charity. She tried to fight the tears seeping

flowers. But I'm sorry, I'll have to

said, shifting a few steps to the side to gesture Lionel towards the door. Lionel looked

to move, Lionel gave up. "Fine,"

where he was seated, before cooly walking past Cassandra without

shut the door in front of her and sighed, feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. She walked over to her

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 as this.

her head angrily, she tried to snap out of her thoughts.