Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

At the mall, Hazel browsed the winter clothing section, selecting several thick sweaters and coats.

Julian noticed and pointed out: "Stanford is in our city with its mild climate. You won't need those heavy clothes."

Stanford?

That wasn't where she was going.

She didn't explain, casually deflecting: "I know, but these look nice. I might wear them when traveling."

Julian frowned slightly, parting his lips as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

On their way back, Rose hesitantly tugged at Julian and Maverick's sleeves.

"Julian, Maverick... is it okay if I don't go home tonight?" she asked, biting her lip with a vulnerable look in her eyes. "The neighborhood where I live is super sketchy right now. Every time I head back there, I'm totally freaked out, looking over my shoulder the whole time."

As she spoke, she looked up at Maverick and Julian with pleading eyes.

"Absolutely! Come stay at my place!" Maverick instantly offered, his heart softening with generosity. "My house has tons of rooms—just take your pick!"

Julian gave a soft "Mmm" of agreement. "You can stay at my place for a while too. It's safe there."

Rose's face immediately brightened with a wide smile as she repeatedly thanked them, sneaking a glance at Hazel.

"Thank you both so much! You're always so good to me! I've never stayed in such nice houses before!"

Hazel leaned against the car window, deliberately tuning them out, her gaze fixed vacantly on the distance.

After all, where Rose stayed didn't matter to her anymore.

The next morning, Hazel received a call from her parents.

"Hazel, are you sure you don't want to go to Stanford? Harvard is excellent, of course, but didn't you promise Julian and Maverick you'd all attend the same school? Those boys have been attached to you since childhood—they panic if you disappear for even an hour. If they find out you switched schools, won't they go crazy?"

As she spoke, she caressed the violin with gleaming eyes, reluctant to let go.

Hazel had never met someone with such poor boundaries, momentarily wondering if she'd misheard.

"Has no one taught you not to open other people's packages? If you like it so much, why not buy your own?"

At these words, Rose's eyes instantly welled with tears.

"You... you know I can't afford something like this. Why would you humiliate me like that?"

Hazel had no patience for Rose's performance and didn't bother engaging further—she simply reached for the violin.

Yet Rose clutched the violin possessively, acting as though she adored it, refusing to let go.

In their struggle, neither quite knew who let go first, but the beautiful violin crashed to the floor with a sickening thud.

The perfect body of the instrument split with an ugly crack that was impossible to miss!