Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 133

The Five Powerhouses Who Match the Unwilling Bride 

Chapter 133 The Gifts 

Finished 

“Austin brought it up himself?” Leo’s eyes widened. The guy was a total silk dress freak, and as far as Leo knew, he hadn’t made a dress for anyone in forever. Said the whole art was dying with him, and he’d take it to the grave. 

Jane gave a smug glance at the two dresses hanging up. “You’ll get it when you see them. Alright, Leo. Let’s do this.” 

Leo chuckled and opened his full glam kit. He leaned in, studying Ava’s face. Her skin was so smooth, not a single pore in sight. “Sweetheart, you won the genetic lottery. When God was putting people together, He clearly took His time with you. The rest of us? Just slapped together like leftovers.” 

Right after saying it, his whole look came together in his head. “Baby, you’re gonna turn every head in that room tonight!” 

He got to work on her hair and makeup. Ava sat still in the chair while the sky outside faded into night. 

Jane had stepped out a couple of times. When she came back and opened the door again, she froze. Ava looked unreal–like she’d just stepped off a canvas. 

It was just pearls. Basic pearls. But paired with that dress? They were stunning. 

Jane hurried over and checked her out from head to toe. She reached out and touched Ava’s cheek. “Leo, your skills are insane. Her makeup looks flawless. And this hair? Her face was made for it.” 

“She’s naturally stunning. I can’t take all the credit.” Leo admired his work like it were a masterpiece. The pride hit him hard. Now he got it. Now he saw why Austin had come out of retirement to make her dress. She wasn’t just wearing it. She owned it. 

That old–school beauty people always wrote about? It was standing right in front of him. 

Jane’s eyes locked on the pearl earrings, the necklace hanging down her chest, and the vintage bracelet loaned from the museum. It was such a clean look, but it hit her like a train. Her heart thudded in her chest. She clutched it with one hand and gave her sister a huge thumbs up. “Girl, you crushed it. You look incredible. Like, actually breathtaking! 

“That lavender one with the butterflies? It’s perfect on you. Way classier than the green one.” 

Leo was already cleaning up his kit. “The green’s nice, but tonight’s a formal crowd. Lavender is the one. Trust me, you’re gonna be the highlight of the whole event.” 

Jane stashed the jewelry box and grabbed a seat. “Ava, there are a ton of people out there 

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Chapter 133 The Gifts 

tonight. I checked. Most of them are single guys without rings. 

“So, get ready. This might be a little overwhelming.” 

A 

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Finished 

Ava threw her a helpless look. If it were up to her, she’d be home in pajamas, not sitting here dressed like some pageant queen, especially after finding out what this party was really about. Coming–of–age, huh? What a joke. She couldn’t care less. 

While the two of them whispered inside, things were getting wild outside. 

Tylissa had just shown up, sent by her family to offer formal congratulations to the Morren household. 

The second she stepped in, the whole place buzzed. 

She wore a custom blue designer gown, a glittering gemstone crown, and a diamond–heavy necklace. Holding her skirt just right, she walked tall and straight toward the Morren patriarch. 

She greeted Jonathan Morren first, made the standard pleasantries, and passed along her family’s best wishes. 

Jonathan nodded politely. After a few questions, he turned to his daughter Margaret. “Go take care of our guest.” 

“No way. That’s Tylissa? She’s stunning up close. Looks like an angel. I can’t believe she actually came to the Morrens‘ party.” 

“You said the same thing about Jane earlier. Now Tylissa’s your dream girl?” 

“Come on, it’s not the same. Jane already has, what, five husbands? Tylissa’s still single. I wanna know what kind of guy’s gonna lock that down.” 

“It’s not gonna be you.” 

“Dude, I didn’t say it would be. What, I can’t dream a little?” 

“You do remember why you’re even here, right? A girl like her wouldn’t even look at us. Now, the other Morren daughter they just brought back? She’s probably more our level.” 

“Yeah, but what if she’s not even hot? Not like we’ve even seen her.” 

The two of them kept going, arguing nonstop over what the second Morren daughter might look like–even though she hadn’t shown her face yet.