Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 126

Chapter 126 Confrontation 

Asher whipped his head to the side, completely thrown off. He said nothing, though that remark just now hit it where it hurt most. 

The other men stared him down, their eyes sharp, waiting for him to speak. 

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He stayed quiet for a beat, then finally said, “After Ava’s coming–of–age party, I’ll file for a transfer. I’ll leave Capitol Planet for a while. She’s like Jane. She’s my sister. No one knows that better than I do.” 

A sharp digital chime broke the silence. “You’ve just received a ten–million–dollar deposit.” The Holoband alert blared into the room. 

Laurent’s head snapped toward the window, his voice rising. “Who’s there? Come out!” 

Grace froze as she stared at the screen. Her Holoband showed the deposit. Ian had picked the worst possible time to send the money. She cursed him quietly in her mind. 

“Now! I won’t ask again!” 

Her chest tightened. Getting caught now was the last thing she expected. 

Suddenly, a slicing gust tore through the curtains. 

There was a loud rip, and the fabric collapsed on her head. She let out a startled scream as she crawled out from under it, pale and panicked. 

“You?!” Ryan’s jaw clenched as his eyes locked on her, flames of fury flaring up. “You followed us here?!” 

Asher looked stunned too. “Grace? What are you doing here?” 

Mason raised a brow and gave a smug laugh. “So you’re related to the Morren family after all? 

“We found a quiet spot to talk. She snuck in after us. Creeping around like she owns the place.” He crossed his arms and looked her over with disgust. “She was hiding in the dark like a sewer rat. That one’s on me. I don’t usually waste time on pests.” 

Laurent stepped right in front of her and looked down like she were nothing. “Hand over the Holoband.” 

Grace hugged it to her chest, her voice trembling. “I… I didn’t see anything. 

“I swear! I didn’t see a thing!” 

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Chapter 126 Confrontation 

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Tears spilled as she turned to Asher, desperate. “Please, Asher, I wasn’t spying. I just needed some air. Please help me.” 

Asher never liked her to begin with. Now she’d been caught eavesdropping on everything. There was no way he’d buy her act. 

“Your grandmother… please… help me…” 

He stepped closer, his voice colder. “You think I’m falling for that?” 

She’d heard it all. That private, buried confession. Not to mention the other guys exposed his deepest desire. His gaze turned sharp. “What were you doing back there?” 

“I… I didn’t do anything!” 

Laurent’s voice dropped, firm and threatening. “Give me the Holoband.” His eyes stayed fixed on her clenched wrist. “If you won’t cooperate, I’ll make you.” 

Grace flinched, her arms tight around herself. Her eyes darted to him as she stammered, “I’m a woman! You touch me, I’ll file an assault report! You’ll get charged for hitting a woman!” 

Mason scoffed. “Why are we even talking to her?” He flicked his fingers, and a flame flared up at his fingertips. He walked toward her, slow and steady. “Wanna see how long you’ll last once this touches you?” 

“Wanna test it?” He crouched slightly and smiled, but there was nothing friendly about it. 

Grace couldn’t stop shaking. His eyes were ice cold. He wasn’t bluffing. In all her years, she’d never faced someone this terrifying. But she couldn’t give up the Holoband either. 

If they got it, they’d find out about the recordings. The secret deals. Everything she’d done. That wasn’t an option. She hadn’t come this far just to lose it all. She must become a woman of status. A woman who was better than anyone else. She sobbed harder and kept shaking her head. 

“Please! I’ll give you whatever you want. Just don’t hurt me. I didn’t hear anything! I don’t know anything!” Tears streamed down her face. Even the tilt of her chin had been rehearsed to look just right. 

Mason’s lip curled. “Pathetic.” 

The fire in his palm shot higher. It curled and twisted as it reached for her. The heat pulsed even before it touched her. Her eyes flew open. Every nerve screamed. It was like time slowed. She could see the flame inching toward her wrist. 

Right before it reached her skin, she cracked. The pain shot through her before it even 

touched. “No! Don’t burn me! Fine! I’ll give it! Take it!” 

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She flung the Holoband and dropped to the floor, crying so hard she couldn’t breathe. 

Asher caught it and scrolled through the contents. The ten–million–dollar transfer from Ian was right there. Along with several hidden video files. Each one made his stomach turn. “Ava did nothing to you. How could you be so cruel?” 

Grace didn’t answer. She just sobbed harder. 

Asher didn’t waste another second. He started a video call and told Jane to get over there immediately. 

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