Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 117

Chapter 117 Request 

Caela smiled. “Ms. Morren, I’m Caela. Jane’s friend. Nice to meet you.” 

Grace paused for a beat, then shook her hand. “Hi. I’m Grace.” 

Finished 

Jane looped her arm through Ava’s and jumped in fast. “Ava, your makeup’s smudged a bit. Come on. Let’s go fix it.” 

“I’m coming too!” Lianne grabbed Ava’s other arm. “Ava, where did you disappear to? I was losing it. I looked all over for you!” 

As she spoke, she threw a sneaky glare at Roxy. She had already decided she’d be ratting her out to Ava later. 

Once the three of them returned to the room, Lianne pouted. “Ava, if you stayed gone any longer, someone would’ve tried to steal your man!” 

Ava blinked. “Steal my man?” 

“Hmph! Someone went for Laurent! I told her he wasn’t into her, but she still went over to flirt. Seriously. So shameless!” 

Jane flicked Lianne’s forehead and spilled the story about Roxy’s bold move and instant rejection. 

That explained everything. 

Ava saw how fired–up Lianne looked and gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for watching out for me. But this whole night’s basically a high–end mixer. Your brother’s incredible. Of course some girls are gonna shoot their shot.” 

“You’re not mad?” Lianne stared at her. She didn’t get it. Laurent was matched with Ava. Shouldn’t Ava be pissed? 

Ava smiled and tapped her nose. “Why would I be mad? Nobody knows the details between us. And just because someone likes him doesn’t mean it matters. Great guys always draw attention.” 

Lianne tilted her head. “That’s not what happens in shows. Usually, the main girl’s fiancé gets stalked by the villain chick. And she always ends up humiliated.” 

Ava and Jane burst into laughter. She really was still a kid. 

“Catching feelings for someone isn’t the issue. The problem is when they use gross tactics or can’t take rejection.” 

1/3 

13:11 Wed, Jan 14 

Chapter 117 Request 

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鹽 Finished 

Lianne clutched her chest as if she’d just survived a crisis. “Phew! I thought you didn’t like my brother. I was worried for nothing!” 

Ava said nothing. 

A firm knock echoed at the door. The thud landed sharp. Jane opened it. “Mom? What’s up?” 

Margaret stepped in and glanced around. She saw just the three of them. Grace was nowhere in sight. “Just you girls? Your grandma said Grace was supposed to be with you. She’s not here?” 

“You heard too?” Jane flopped onto the couch. “I asked Caela and the others to take care of her. She claimed she didn’t know anyone, so I helped her out by introducing her to some girls. If she still doesn’t blend in, that’s not my fault. She’s not even family. Why should I babysit her? She has no social awareness. The second she spots a guy, she’s locked in. It’s obvious she came here hunting for a rich husband. I’m not about to be part of her strategy.” 

Margaret frowned. “Your grandma’s here. You could be a little more tactful.” 

“Tactful?” Jane scoffed. “If she acted right, I’d treat her right. But come on, can we stop mentioning her? Her name alone gives me a headache.” 

Margaret turned to Ava and gently touched her arm. “After your party, take Granny Yara to visit your grandpa’s grave, okay?” 

Ava nodded. “Of course. I’ll go with her. He left something behind. I think Granny Yara’s the one who should keep it.” 

Grace stepped away, saying she needed to check a message. She used it to excuse herself and leave Caela and the others behind. 

Mireya nudged Caela’s arm. “Now I get why Jane’s done with her. Best–case, she’s just dramatic. Worst–case, she thinks she’s better than everyone.” 

Caela chuckled softly. “She’s here to marry up. If she scores the right guy, she skips the struggle and fast–tracks her life.” 

Roxy rolled her eyes. “Men aren’t that stupid…” 

Caela shrugged. “Maybe not. But maybe she’s just really good at playing the game.” 

Grace walked into the bathroom. She stood in front of the mirror and fixed her dress. She tugged the neckline down a bit, just enough to make her cleavage pop. She reapplied her lipstick, dusted powder across her cheeks, and spritzed perfume along her neck and wrists. Then she yanked the slit in her dress a little higher, adjusted the hem, and checked her entire look from head to toe. Her smile came next–perfectly trained, carefully practiced, and ready 

2/3 

13:11 Wed, Jan 14 

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Chapter 117 Request 

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70 

Finished 

Grace wasn’t a head–turner at first glance. But with makeup, she passed for stunning. Her biggest asset wasn’t her face. It was her body–killer curves and flawless skin. She knew men were visual. They

Grace wasn’t a head–turner at first glance. But with makeup, she passed for stunning. Her biggest asset wasn’t her face. It was her body–killer curves and flawless skin. She knew men were visual. They didn’t just want a pretty face. They wanted the full package. And Grace knew exactly what she was selling. 

for display. 

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