Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 57

Chapter 57 Privilege in Plain Sight 

19 Finished 

Sharon had spent most of her life with this racing team, watching it claw its way from obscurity to real recognition. She had also watched Asher grow from a fiery, reckless teenager into the man he had become. 

Ava tried and failed to picture Asher as a teenager. 

Resting her chin in her hands, she sighed wistfully. “It’s such a shame I never got to see him at his peak.” 

Sharon chuckled. “Trust me, if you’d seen him back then, you might’ve been disappointed. He was a total delinquent–terrible grades, zero discipline. Whenever he won a race, he’d make someone else do his homework. Half the team’s helped him cheat his way through school.” 

Ava laughed outright. It was painfully in character for him. 

One amusing anecdote led to another, and she laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. 

Asher caught the sound of her laughter before he entered the room. 

He opened the door with a resigned look. “Let me guess, Sharon’s been spilling all my dirty little secrets.” 

Ava laughed as she dabbed her eyès. “Hey, you’ve got it all wrong. She was clearly praising how amazing you are on the track. You’ve got third place, you know. Congratulations!” 

Asher motioned her over. “Come on. Let’s go take a look out front.” 

She followed right away. 

The awards ceremony was already underway, so she asked, “Aren’t you going up to accept your trophy?” 

“It’s not like I won. Why bother? I’m just here for the fun of it.” 

She beamed at him. “You don’t need first place to prove anything. Sharon said first and second place were both pro racers. Third place is still impressive.” 

Asher smiled and messed up her hair. “You really know how to sweet–talk me–unlike Jane.” 

“You two scrap like that because you’re blood,” she teased. “Me? I just shower you with compliments.” 

He had meant to skip it, but her praise went straight to his head. In the end, he joined the team onstage for 

her sake. 

Surrounded by excitement and applause, Ava felt a quiet sense of nostalgia. Being young was really something. 

The outer ring buzzed with noise, bodies jammed shoulder–to–shoulder. People chanted their favorite racers‘ names–men and women alike, wild with excitement. Passion was spilling everywhere, right down to couples openly making out. 

“Watch where you’re going!” A shrill voice snapped. “You stepped on my shoe!” A fashionably dressed young woman glared at someone behind her, fury flashing. 

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Chapter 57 Privilege in Plain Sight 

“I’m sorry.” 

“Sorry fixes nothing,” she scoffed, striking him across the face. “Pay up, or call your family.” 

Finished 

“I’m really sorry. I swear it was an accident,” the boy–barely 20–looking–said shakily. He looked close to crying at the mention of compensation. 

“I can’t afford it. My family doesn’t have money,” he pleaded. “Please don’t involve my father. I’ll apologize again.” 

“Oh? So you’re broke?” she sneered. “Then get on your knees and lick it clean.” 

Her companions began clearing space violently. One of them kicked the boy behind the knees, forcing him down. “You artificial–born lowlife,” someone spat. “The viscountess is being generous. Hurry up.” 

Trembling and crying, the boy crawled forward. The woman pressed her heel against his lips, grinding until he cried out in pain. 

Her expression twisted in contempt. “Gross.” 

The crowd stayed silent, terrified. 

Any sympathy vanished the moment it appeared. 

A single offended Awakened lady could kill him outright. No one would risk speaking up. 

Ava felt ice flood her veins. 

Violence wasn’t new to her, but that was another life. Since escaping the Underworld and spending years sheltered and safe in the academy, this was her first real glimpse of naked class privilege. 

In all that noise, the moment unfolded like a mute, grotesque performance. 

Fresh shoes were fetched immediately. Disgusted, the woman swapped them out and departed without another glance. 

“All good, all good. At least you’re still in one piece.” 

“That looks serious. Go to a hospital.” 

“A high–and–mighty Awakened, skipping the VIP enclosure for the outer field–who’d have guessed she was a viscountess?” 

“Drop it. If she hears you, you’re done for.” 

“We’re artificial–born,” someone muttered bitterly. “We were never people to them anyway.” 

The boy was then taken away. Once he was gone, the crowd snapped back to celebration. The incident vanished into the crowd’s roar. 

Coming offstage, Asher found Ava looking pale. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?” 

She shook her head. After a pause, she recounted the incident. “Even for an Awakened, that’s taking it too 

15:51 Thu, Jan 8 G 

The Five Powerhouses Who Match the Unwilling Bride 

Chapter 58 Caught on Camera