Hazel finally lost her temper.
“Rose!” she snappet.
Hearing the commotion, Julian rushed outside.
Next door, Maverick also came running.
And when they rushed out, the first thing they saw was Rose’s tear streaked face. They immediately rushed to her side. “What happened? You were fine just a minute ago. Who upset you?”
Rose sniffled, her voice breaking: “It’s not Hazel’s fault. She accidentally dropped her new violin and is really upset about it. I just happened to be here when she got angry. She yelled at me and pushed me… but I’m not mad! If it helps her feel better, ! don’t mind being her emotional punching bag.”
She dropped the violin?
She yelled at Rose to vent her anger, and even pushed her?!
Though Hazelunderstood every word Rose said individually, put together they formed only one thought in her mind: absurd!
Completely and utterly absurd!
She thought Rose was just a manipulative fake, but never imagined she could be so morally bankrupt, completely twisting the truth.
Before Hazel could even speak, Maverick’s face darkened as he snapped at her: “Hazel, even if you’re having a princess meltdown, you don’t take it out on Rose! Apologize to her right now!”
Julian coldly chimed in: “Hazel, you’ve gone way too far. Apologize immediately!”
Hazel’s temples throbbed with anger as she struggled to maintain her composure. “I should apologize? Julian, Maverick, there are security cameras in this hallway. Do you want to see what actually happened?”
At these words, Rose visibly panicked, her crying intensifying.
“Julian, Maverick, please don’t blame Hazel! I’m really fine. If you keep defending me like this, I won’t be able to be friends with her anymore.”
Hearing this, Julian immediately pulled out a tissue and gently wiped her tears, rubbing her back soothingly.
“It’s not your fault. Don’t cry, sweetie.”
Maverick shot Hazel a cold glare. “Look at how you’re acting versus how Rose is responding. The difference is night and day!”
With that, they protectively escorted a sobbing Rose away, not sparing Hazel another glance.
Watching their retreating figures, Hazel felt a suffocating pressure in her chest.
Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!
2.4%
Chapt
She kept reminding herself. Soon, Soon she never have to see any of them again, and they’d be completely out of her ile…
Three days later, the class reunion they’d previously arranged finally arrived..
The moment Hazel walked in, several classmates looked expectantly behind her, their faces quickly filling with disappointment.
*Hazel, where are the campus heartthrob and bad boy? Aren’t they usually glued to your side?” one girl asked.
“Yeah, we heard you all got into Stanford. Is it true you have to choose between Julian and Maverick on the first day of school? Have you decided yet?” another chimed in.
But before Hazel could answer, a group of girls who had always been hostile toward her jumped in:
“Choose? Please, does Hazel even have that option anymore? Julian and Maverick are obviously into Rose now. Haven’t you been paying attention?”
The group snickered, eagerly watching for Hazel’s reaction. They expected anger, but instead, she remained completely silent, not even gracing them with a glance.
Frustrated by her lack of response, they were about to continue their taunting when the door swung open.
Julian and Maverick entered, flanking Rose like two knights escorting their princess.
The catty girls immediately turned to Hazel with renewed laughter.
“Look at that–the campus hotties don’t even like her anymore. What’s she got to be so stuck–up about?”
“That’s not stuck–up, that’s just pathetic. Hahahahaha… Like a kicked puppy, honestly.”
The class president nervously wiped his forehead and quickly intervened: “Everyone’s here, so let’s get started!”
As soon as the class president finished speaking, the reunion erupted with noise.
Julian carefully removed his jacket and draped it over Rose’s shoulders. “The AC’s pretty strong in here. Keep warm.”
Maverick sat with casual confidence, skillfully peeling fruit with a small knife. After a few expert flicks of his wrist, all the peels dropped neatly into the trash.
Moments later, a bowl of perfectly cut fruit appeared in front of Rose.
“Eat some fruit. Stay away from the booze,” he said with lazy affection.
They attended to Rose with remarkable thoughtfulness. Still mindful of their last encounter, neither spared a glance in Hazel’s
direction.
Hazel sat quietly in a corner, calmly eating her meal, her expression revealing nothing.
Midway through, someone suggested playing Truth or Dare. Hazel hadn’t wanted to participate, but was forcibly dragged into the game.
After several rounds, Hazel lost.
Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!
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Chapter 4
“Alright, Hazel’s turn to share a secret with everyonel someone announced excitedly.
A secret?
Hazel gave a slight internal laugh, her eyes briefly passing over Julian and Maverick.
Then she replied flatly: “My secret is on the first day of school, I’ll be throwing away two things.”
C(
