Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 149

Chapter 149 The Flower No One Could Pluck 

Ryan glanced at Keith and scoffed. “You talk as if she’d pick you.” 

Finished 

Laurent remained silent. He stood there, eyes fixed on the woman he loved as she danced in the center of the floor. 

Mason toyed with the Holoband on his wrist, a trace of self–mockery in his gaze. “No matter how you look at it, this scene is a blow to a man’s pride.” 

Ethan smiled faintly, warmth softening his eyes. “This might be for the best.,At least she doesn’t have to feel pressured.” 

After witnessing several men step forward one after another to invite Ava to dance, the other gentlemen nearby quickly did the math. There was some reluctance, but competing with that group was clearly unwise. 

The beauty was dazzling, yes, but this was not a flower meant to be plucked with ease. Admiring her from afar was the safer choice. Those who were quick on the uptake soon shifted their attention to other prospects. 

Tylissa watched the two women dancing together in the middle of the floor. She recognized one of them at once–Ysabel Severn, director of the Omnireon Institute and an Awakened. Exceptionally powerful. Infamous for never playing by the rules. 

She had never imagined that the person who would open the dance with Ava would be Ysabel. 

Tylissa’s gaze slid, subtle and sharp, toward the five men standing off to the side. Her eyes darkened. Compared to the pair on the dance floor, that earlier moment had been far more arresting. These five men were undeniably the chosen elite, and yet every one of them had extended an invitation to Ava. 

She looked only briefly before withdrawing her gaze and turning back to Ava. There was no denying it—Ava had a beautiful face. But beautiful women were everywhere. Aside from that face, what made her so special? Was it because she had awakened elemental power? Wood elemental power, no less. How could that compare to a true Awakened? 

A cold smile tugged at Tylissa’s lips. Men really were shallow creatures. 

Her brows tightened as she opened her control panel and checked the affinity levels for those five men. A neat row of zeros stared back at her, like open mockery of her own assumptions. Heat rushed to her face with embarrassment. 

Tylissa studied her own profile image on the character panel. The full 3D rendering displayed her figure in flawless detail. After redeeming the system’s rewards, this body could easily be called breathtaking. Compared to Ava, Tylissa was confident her looks were no worse. 

For years, she had carried the system, working relentlessly toward the goal of becoming an Interstellar Darling, never daring to slack off for even a moment. That was how she had earned her current status, 

And yet there were always people like this–favored by fate itself. Even if they had once been overlooked, the moment they stepped into the light, every eye was drawn to them. 

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Chapter 149 The Flower No One Could Pluck 

Finished 

Jealousy gnawed at Tylissa’s heart. That faint unease she had felt the instant she first saw Ava had not been a mistake. Whether or not Ava was truly a time–displaced survivor, she would be an obstacle on Tylissa’s path forward. 

“Tylissa, what are you thinking about?” 

The voice snapped her back to the present. She turned to see a young woman she knew well and smiled. “Nothing much. I was just watching Ms. Morren. I didn’t expect her to choose Ms. Severn for the dance. I thought she’d pick at least one of those five men.” 

“It really was unexpected. But she and Ms. Severn look great together. So, Tylissa, who are you planning to dance with later?” 

Tylissa brushed her hair back near her ear. “I haven’t thought about it.” 

As the music ended, a burst of applause rippled through the crowd. 

Ava straightened and bowed politely to Ysabel. Ysabel waved it off, then glanced sideways at the men waiting nearby. A sly smile curved her lips. “Go on. Someone over there is probably getting impatient.” 

With that, Ysabel turned and disappeared into the crowd. Ava watched her leave and made a quiet vow in her heart. One day, she would grow into a woman as strong and fearless as Ysabel. 

“Ava, you really outdid yourself!” Jane was the first to rush over, clasping Ava’s hand with a beaming smile. “Tell me, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?” 

“I never thought Ms. Severn would be so interesting,” Jane continued with genuine admiration. “People always said she breaks the rules, and I didn’t believe it. Now I do. She’s incredible.” 

Leaning in, Jane whispered in Ava’s ear, “You should’ve seen their faces when you chose Ms. Severn. Absolutely priceless.” 

There was a hint of glee on Jane’s face as she spoke. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed those men frowning at her, clearly shooting daggers her way. 

That only amused her more. So this was how Ysabel had felt earlier. There was a strange thrill in it. Jane deliberately leaned even closer, her nose nearly brushing Ava’s ear 

Sure enough, the hostile stares sharpened all at once. 

Jane clicked her tongue, gave a dismissive snort, and wrapped an arm around Ava’s waist. With deliberate swagger, she led Ava straight past them and away, head held high. 

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