Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 142

Chapter 142 Unwanted Encounters 

“Finished 

Tylissa put on a perfectly practiced, professional smile. “I can tell you also have a deep appreciation for ancient Terran history and culture. It’s truly been a pleasure talking with you. Happy coming–of–age, and welcome to Capitol Planet. Since you’re the star of the evening, I won’t keep you any longer. We’ll talk again next time. I very much look forward to our next meeting.” 

With that, Tylissa stood up, smoothed the skirt of her dress, and walked straight–backed into the crowd. Ava remained seated, watching her retreating figure. She really is a woman with a very clear objective, she thought with a light chuckle. But whatever… It has nothing to do with me. 

Everyone lived with their own goals. If this encounter had managed to dispel Tylissa‘ suspicions, all the better. Ava had no desire to be watched from the shadows by a woman like that. 

“A–Ava? Is that you?” 

Ava reflexively turned her head in the direction of the voice. Near the wall stood a man she hadn’t noticed before. He slowly stepped out from the corner, his flaxen hair neatly styled, dressed in a deep burgundy suit, his face filled with shock and disbelief. 

It was none other than Daniel Crowe. 

Ava looked at him without much expression. Strictly speaking, it had only been a little over a month since they’d last seen each other. 

“I am Ava,” she said calmly. “But I don’t know you, sir.” 

Daniel stopped a few steps away from her and looked straight into her eyes. “I don’t know why you look different now, but I’ll never mistake those eyes. There will never be a second person with eyes exactly like yours. Ava, I know it’s you.” 

“Daniel, we already broke up,” Ava said plainly, with no intention of dancing around the issue or entangling herself with him again. 

Daniel’s hand at his side tightened, then loosened, then tightened again. As he looked at her distant, indifferent expression, he realized that aside from her eyes, there was nothing left of the woman in his memories. 

“Why… Why did you lie to me?” His voice carried a bitter edge. He had never imagined that the woman he’d dated for half a year had never shown him her real face. 

“Mr. Crowe,” Ava said calmly as she stood up and inclined her head slightly, “your fiancee is here tonight. She’s a charming young woman. Congratulations on finding a wonderful wife.” 

She turned and took a step, preparing to leave. 

“Ava… can we talk?” Daniel asked. 

Ava glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and continued walking forward. “There’s nothing left for us to talk about, Mr. Crowe.” 

Daniel remained where he was, watching her draw a clear line between them. Was this still the Ava he knew? It felt like her, yet not quite–but they were undeniably the same person. 

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16:48 Thu, Jan 15 GMO. 

Chapter 142 Unwanted Encounters 

Finished 

“Ava, how did it go?” Jane walked up and linked her arm through Ava’s. “Tylissa didn’t give you a hard time, did she? I really don’t know what got into her, suddenly wanting to talk to you. Could it be because you awakened elemental power, and she wanted to probe you? Or maybe, as people said, Ethan snubbed her earlier but was quite friendly toward you, so she took it out on you?” 

Ava shook her head. “No, Jane. You’re overthinking it. And Ms. Clark isn’t that shallow. She’s a woman with clear goals–there’s no way she’d fixate on men. With her background, she doesn’t need to curry favor with anyone.” 

Jane quirked a brow and laughed softly. “You only talked for a short while, yet you already think so highly of her. Sounds like that conversation was anything but ordinary. That woman’s ambition is written all over her eyes. I don’t believe she sought you out over a man either. If you ask me, you’re beautiful and the only elemental Awakened so far. 

“Everyone knows Tylissa is expected to awaken primal power someday, but no one knows what kind it’ll be or how strong. I’d say your existence feels like a threat to her–an obstacle.” 

Ava merely smiled without replying. Jane wasn’t far off. For Tylissa, the last thing she wanted was for there to be a second time–displaced survivor in this world. 

“Jane! Ava!” Isa hurried over, calling out loudly. “You two made me search everywhere. Jane, didn’t you say earlier that you wanted me to introduce Daniel to you? Come on, I’ll take you over.” 

Jane had never met Daniel before and immediately perked up. “Sure. I want to see what your fiance looks like–what kind of man managed to win you over.” 

As she spoke, Jane pulled Ava along to join the fun, completely missing the brief flash of awkwardness that crossed Ava’s face. 

Ava really didn’t want to go. If she weren’t Daniel’s ex–girlfriend, she wouldn’t have minded watching from the sidelines. But they’d dated for half a year. No matter how she looked at it, this was painfully awkward. 

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