Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the final minute before the college application deadline, Hazel changed her choice from Stanford to Harvard.

After closing her laptop, she felt as though she'd finally completed a monumental task. As she leaned back in her chair, her gaze accidentally fell on the framed photo sitting on her desk.

The picture showed three people standing at the Stanford entrance gate. Hazel was sticking her tongue out playfully, flanked by Julian on one side and Maverick on the other.

Julian's cool, elegant features were fixed on her, his eyes filled with tender affection.

Maverick had his arm casually draped around her shoulders, his chin resting on top of her head as he gazed at her with unmistakable possessiveness.

With a self-deprecating laugh, Hazel peeled off the slightly yellowed sticky note attached to the photo: "Hazel, Julian, and Maverick will all go to Stanford together!"

The determined handwriting remained clear despite the passage of time.

Without hesitation, she tore the note into pieces and tossed them into the trash can.

"Julian, Maverick... this time, I won't be joining you," she murmured. "From now on, you can go your way, and I'll go mine."

Ding~

Her phone suddenly chimed on the desk.

Hazel picked it up and saw a new message in their group chat titled "Hazel and the Two Best Friends Who Want to Spoil Her Forever."

Ironically, despite being a three-person chat, there were now four people in it.

Three weeks ago, Rose had sent a message in the group.

"Yay! I checked my scores and I'm definitely getting into Stanford! So excited to be classmates with Julian, Maverick, and Hazel—looking forward to getting to know you all better~"

Though she addressed everyone, she had only tagged Julian and Maverick.

Julian had replied instantly: "Whenever you need me, I'll always be there for you."

Maverick followed up with: "Same here. On the first day of school, the entire campus will know you're under my protection!"

Hazel smirked sardonically and continued scrolling.

Two weeks ago, Julian and Maverick had been active in the chat.

One day it was Julian buying Rose a high-end laptop: "Here's your college welcome gift. Did you receive it? If you don't know how to use it, I can teach you."

The next day it was Maverick buying her the latest iPhone: "Rose, your current phone is too outdated. Use this new one I got you."

Rose was deeply touched, flooding the group chat with several crying emojis: "These gifts are way too expensive—I don't deserve them."

Both boys had replied simultaneously: "You're amazing and deserve everything."

After that, they'd enthusiastically discussed throwing Rose a celebration party.

Throughout all this, Hazel hadn't said a single word and no one had acknowledged her presence.

Despite being a core member of the group, she felt like an outsider looking in.

And today, Rose had flooded the chat with photos from her celebration party.

Julian and Maverick were surrounding her like she was the center of the universe, showering her with attention at an extravagant venue. Gift boxes were piled high around her, and Rose was beaming with joy, every bit the adored princess.

After posting the photos, Rose specifically tagged Hazel:

[Hazel, are you sure you can't come? Julian and Maverick prepared such an amazing party for me. I feel so blessed!]

Hazel hadn't planned to respond until she noticed the dress and jewelry Rose was wearing.

She typed back with controlled anger: "Rose, where did you get that dress and those accessories?"

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