Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 204

Chapter 204 Night Talk 

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Ava locked eyes with him. “You don’t need to be sorry. I don’t care what people say about me. Strangers don’t get to decide how I feel. And if someone picks a fight with me, I will hit back. 

“Besides, that officer explained everything right in front of everyone. Whether they believe it or not, that sealed it. If someone brings it up again, they’re just trying to stir trouble.” 

Laurent watched her talk. He’d already heard that the girl who came at her didn’t get anything out of it. 

“Let’s go,” Laurent said as he took her hand. 

They got close to the booth, and Ava quickly tried to pull away. Laurent kept his grip firm and didn’t let go. 

Her face flushed red. She hissed under her breath. “Let go! People will see!” 

“Let them!” Laurent didn’t flinch. “I stayed quiet back there for your sake. Out here? No one’s gonna open their mouth.” 

He said it without blinking. Ava couldn’t shake him off anyway. He pulled her along without hesitation. 

She dropped her head and refused to look up. 

“Evening, Major,” the young guard greeted as he saluted. 

His eyes bulged the second he saw Laurent holding a girl’s hand. 

His brain stalled. He stood frozen on the spot. 

By the time Laurent and Ava walked upstairs, the guard was still stuck in place. His face was frozen in shock, with a hint of panic like he’d just seen something classified. 

So that’s why she got put in that building. She had backing. It made sense now. 

Laurent wasn’t even from their branch. Yet here he was, the guy everyone called a war machine, showing up here… for her? 

Ava got pulled all the way back to Room 307. At the door, she shot him a glare. “You did that on 

purpose. 

“How am I supposed to face people tomorrow? What the hell are they gonna think?” 

Just picturing all those eyes staring at her made her want to fall through the floor. 

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Chapter 204 Night Talk 

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It was her first day. She didn’t even want to imagine what kind of crap people would start whispering. 

Laurent raised an eyebrow. “During training, I’ll treat you like anyone else. I’ll stay away. But right now, you’re back in your room. I’ve got no reason to fake it.” 

Ava opened the door without inviting him in. “I’m seriously mad right now.” 

Then she slammed the door shut behind her. 

Laurent stood there and let out a low breath before heading back downstairs. 

The moment he appeared again, the young guard stood up like a statue. Laurent asked, “What did you see just now?” 

The guard went stiff. “Sir… I didn’t see anything. I swear, sir!” 

Laurent stared right at him. The kid started shaking. His knees buckled, and he thought he might not make it to morning. 

“She’s my family,” Laurent said flatly. “She’s shy. If you see her tomorrow, pretend you didn’t. And keep your mouth shut. Got it?” 

“Yes, sir!” 

Laurent gave him one last look before walking off toward the building again. 

The guard exhaled like he’d just survived an ambush. Somehow, this tiny base had ended up hosting Laurent’s family. 

And she was a freshman at Starry Heavens University? 

His mind raced to the two instructors assigned to the girls‘ squads. Which poor b*stard ended up with her? 

He said a silent prayer for them. Anyone training Laurent’s girl was gonna need it. 

He remembered hearing that an elite unit had just gone through “special training” under the Major. The toughest guys on base got beat into total submission. If even they cracked under him, how ruthless could he actually be? 

A chill shot through his spine. He closed his eyes. He was just a gate guard. None of this was his problem. 

“Ava. Open the door.” 

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Chapter 204 Night Talk 

She cracked it open. “What do you want?” 

Laurent leaned a little to glance inside. “Still mad?” 

Ava stepped aside and let him in. 

She sat back in the chair and looked him dead in the eye. “I’ve been thinking. From your side of things, fine, you didn’t really do anything wrong. But I care. I don’t want people treating me different. I just want to be another girl here for training. I don’t want eyes following me around like I’m someone special.” 

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