Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 61

Chapter 61 Reject 

45% 

Finished 

“Heh. That’s Jolene. She’s notorious for collecting men like stamps. Nobody even knows how many she’s been with. She’s pushing seventy, and she’s still pulling this kind of stunt.” 

The chatter around them didn’t die down. 

Gossip poured in from every direction, buzzing nonstop in Ava’s ears, crude and relentless, until it all blurred into a single, ugly noise. 

So, this woman’s name is Jolene. Nearly seventy years old. Tsk. She really does go for younger men without blinking. And Skyler just happens to be the unlucky one caught in it. 

“Pam sorry. There is someone I like already. I cannot say yes to you.” Amid the roar of the crowd, Skyler’s voice trembled as it carried outward, thin but unmistakable. 

The noise dropped off all at once, leaving behind an almost frightening silence. Ava could see the massive screen behind them. The man’s expression was tight with unease, while the woman beside him looked openly furious. The contrast was impossible to miss. 

“Oh, really. You’re pushing your luck, huh?” Jolene let out a cold laugh, her gaze slowly sweeping over Skyler from head to toe. “You have a bit of a look, I will give you that, and now you are playing hard to get? Who do you like, then? Say it. I would love to see which goddess you think came down from the sky. Skyler, you had better actually have someone you like. If not, you are going to regret it.” 

Jolene had never expected Skyler to turn her down, let alone do it in front of so many people and strip her of her pride. Almost in an instant, every trace of composure vanished from her expression. All that remained was raw anger, with a look in her eyes that hinted at something reckless and vicious, like she wanted to tear everything down. 

Skyler is seriously bold. 

Ava kept her eyes locked on the giant screen. She barely blinked, like she was afraid that even a second of distraction would make her miss something important. 

Sure, watching him stand up to power feels somewhat satisfying, but it is evident that he lacks the strength to back it up. At this point, he is basically setting himself up to get crushed. 

“Too bad,” Ava muttered under her breath. “Someone’s definitely going to get payback for this.” 

Asher had zero interest in the whole spectacle. “Ava, there’s nothing worth watching. Want to head back?” 

“Hold on, Asher,” she replied. “It’s worth the show. At least let me see how it ends. I’m curious who this woman is, the one Skyler would rather offend Jolene than say yes to.” 

Asher shook his head. “You’re just like Jane. Both of you ove drama.” 

Ava’s eyes flicked sideways, and she let out a quiet snicker. “Drama that walks right up to you is free entertainment. It’s a little mean, sure, but come on. This is prime stuff.” 

On the other side, Jolene pressed him hard. “Skyler, I’ll ask you one last time. Are you really turning me down?” 

“Yes.” Skyler turned his head away, refusing to meet her eyes. 

1/2 

13:20 Sat, Jan 10 GO 

Chapter 61 Reject 

“Fine. You’ve got guts. Is the woman you like here right now?” 

Skyler stayed silent. 

45%– 

Finished 

“So she is,” she said coolly. “Find her and bring her to me. I won’t make things difficult for you. But if you dare lie to me, you and your family can brace yourselves.” 

A bodyguard yanked him straight off the podium. “Mad m Palmer intends to formally challenge the woman you care about. Go find her. If you don’t, mocking an Awakened is not a price you can afford to pay.” 

Skyler was shoved forward, stumbling as he was dragged along. The mood shifted instantly. The crowd, which had been buzzing with excitement, fell into an uneasy silence. 

Ava did not quite understand what the bodyguard meant. She turned to Asher. “What was that about? Why does Jolene want to challenge the woman Skyler likes?” 

“It’s an unspoken rule,” Asher explained. “If an Awakened woman is pursuing a man and he already has someone he cares about, she can challenge that woman directly. And the other party isn’t allowed to refuse.” 

Ava gasped. “Then, that poor woman is getting dragged into this for no reason. How is this even her fault? And what if Skyler likes a normal person? Jolene’s Awakened. That’s insane.” 

“If she’s a normal person, an Awakened can’t lay a hand on her,” he mentioned. “In that kind of situation, it really comes down to how capable the two men are.” 

She looked utterly done with the world, rolling her eyes so hard they nearly disappeared. “All this just to chase a guy? It escalates straight into dueling?” She could not wrap her head around it. “Who’s unlucky enough to run into a lunatic like that?” 

“At this point, it’s less about the man and more about saving reputation,” Asher replied. “A Rank A male alone isn’t worth a duel. But Skyler humiliated her in front of everyone. That’s what matters. An Awakened’s pride doesn’t take kindly to being challenged.” 

“Give me a break,” Ava snapped. “What kind of twisted logic is that? She forced herself on him first. Is he not even allowed to say no? Can’t you report something like this? She was clearly harassing him. How is that fair?” 

Asher rested a hand on her head, gently rubbing it. “Ava. I’m starting to believe you spent all these years buried in books and completely ignored how society actually works. When Awakened women pursue someone, it isn’t classified as sexual harassment. 

“The authorities even encourage them to take multiple husbands. You need to understand this. True fairness has never existed in this world.” 

She frowned deeply. “So, are you telling me an Awakened can just do whatever they want? I’m a woman too, but this still feels way over the line.” 

“Who knows,” he said calmly. “Even conflicts between the Awakened folks are usually ignored as long as nobody dies. The strong prey on the weak. That’s just how society works.” 

Send Gifts 

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