Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 11

Chapter 11 The Funniest Joke of the Year 

Over the next while, Jane gave Ava a full rundown. 

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After all, people in their circle crossed paths all the time, some more often than others, and a couple of them already knew each other quite well. 

Ethan was 48, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the youngest member of Parliament. Ryan, 36, was one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. The two were brothers, both ranked Double–S in mental power, though no one seemed to know what their elemental power was. Their father, Dylan Brock, served as Secretary for Administration. Their mother, Elena Warner, was an Awakened woman with the title of Countess. 

Mason, with a Triple–S mental power rank and fire as his elemental power. He was 46 and came from a long line of artists. He was Cassius‘ cousin, second in line in the Heiser Family, and already a major player in the business world. 

Keith, 43, heir to the Holcomb Corporation, was a ranked Double–S with water as his elemental power. His family owned not only Holcomb Pharmaceuticals and Holcomb General Hospitals but also Regen Biotech Labs–the largest and most advanced facility in interstellar. 

Laurent Caswell, 46, ranked Triple–S as well, though his elemental power remained a mystery. He held the rank of major general, commanding the Eastern Galactic Fleet. His parents were divorced, and he had a half–brother from his father’s side. 

Ava finally understood why everyone’s expressions earlier had been so complex to read. 

It’s just that I’m… well, an ordinary nobody. I might look okay, but when it comes to status and background, I’m nowhere near that bunch of golden elites. Honestly, I’m convinced there’s something wrong with Match Bureau’s pairing system. How else would I end up matched with people like them? 

Jane took a sip of water before continuing. “Ethan’s the kind of guy who looks nice on the outside but’s got a dark streak underneath. As for Ryan, well, in this wild entertainment world, he’s a firecracker–snaps at everyone, says whatever’s on his mind. But honestly? He’s still a lot more straightforward than Ethan. 

“Mason? That man only thinks about money: total workaholic, all day, every day. 

“Keith, now he’s a different story. His mom and Louis‘ mom are cousins. The guy’s a genius in pharmacogenomics–like, scary brilliant. He’s been a prodigy since forever. 

“As for Laurent… never met him. His family’s a bit of a mess. Years ago, his mom got caught in some kind of sex scandal. The parents split, and a few years later, his dad remarried. He doesn’t show up much in public, so it’s hard to say what kind of person he is.” 

Jane gave Ava a thumbs–up. “You really scored big, girl. All the golden boys of our generation in 

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Chapter 11 The Funniest Joke of the Year 

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Capitol Planet are wrapped around your finger. You’re something else.” 

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These guys are total catch material, prime picks for every family hoping to snag a high–flying son–in–law. Who would’ve thought the Match Bureau would suddenly pair them with Ava? I’d love to see their expressions when they got that notification. Bet it’s priceless! 

Jane teased. “They didn’t ask for your personal contact info?” 

Ava hesitated, then said, “My Holoband blocks friend requests from strangers and won’t let them message me. I guess they just can’t add me.” 

Everyone burst out laughing at how seriously she explained it, even Jonathan, who usually stays stoic, cracked a little smile. 

This is seriously the funniest joke of the year! 

Jane knew she was going to have a lot more things to laugh about from now on. 

As for my girl, who clearly hasn’t caught on yet and thinks in her own weird way, those so–called geniuses are probably in for a bit of a rough ride with her. 

Ava opened her personal messaging app and, just like she suspected, found a few friend requests buried in the spam folder. The system had blocked them. She tapped on them and realized the requests had already expired. 

This… this is turning into a massive misunderstanding! 

Jane’s shoulders kept bouncing as she fought hard not to burst out laughing. 

Ava set the Holoband down and asked seriously, “Once I’m paired up, how do I break it off?” 

I don’t want to get married, not at all. If it weren’t for interstellar law, and since I can’t afford the fines, I wouldn’t even step foot in the Match Bureau. And the husbands they’re shoving at me? They’re all way out of my league. With the kind of gap in status and background between us, is the Match Bureau seriously kidding? These people aren’t even from the same world as me. I don’t want to be tied to them just because the Match Bureau thinks it’s fun to play Cupid. 

“You’re serious? These guys aren’t half bad,” Jane said, genuinely surprised that Ava, after learning about them, still chose to cut ties. 

“I know my own limits. I’m just a regular person. People need to be realistic about themselves,” Ava replied, keeping it factual. 

“How can you even think like that? You’re a Morrens girl. Awakened or not, it doesn’t matter. You’re smart, capable, and gorgeous. You deserve way better,” Jane said, clearly frustrated with Ava putting herself down. 

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As a woman, so what if they’re not Awakened? In a world with far more men than women, men still end up choosing us. Outside, many single men struggle to find a wife. If they can’t, they’re forced to use artificial eggs. Any male offspring from those eggs, whether in intelligence or ability, fall far short of natural–born humans. They’re stuck doing the lowest–paying jobs. A few might scrape together enough to get into a decent college and end up as a niche civil servant–that’s about as far as they go. 

Some with sufficient mental strength to reach Rank C can join the military, starting as low–ranking soldiers, and risk everything just to climb a little. Even then, making it to captain is the ceiling, and their lifespan barely stretches past a hundred years. 

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