Chapter 2376
Andrew looked stunned. “What do you mean? I just asked you to call her over so I can say hello, that’s all.”
Valerie scoffed. “Oh, please, drop the act. You just want to get close to her, don’t you? The Lloyd family’s Dragon Prince is supposed to be impressive. But now, you just look like another lowlife.”
Andrew’s expression turned cold. “Valerie, are you out of your mind? Who told you I wanted to get close to her like that? Ms. Santana and I are old acquaintances, that’s all.”
Valerie did not believe a word of it. She crossed her arms and stood still, her eyes sharp with doubt.
Eventually, Joaquin decided to step in and said, “Mr. Lloyd, please wait a moment. I’ll have her brought here right away.”
To him, there was no point in clashing with someone like Andrew. An eighth-grade divine alchemist was a walking goldmine.
As for an auctioneer? Barely worth mentioning. If the Lloyd family’s Dragon Prince wanted her, they would just make the arrangements. Hell, they would probably hand her over as a personal attendant if he asked.
Before long, Elsie was brought in. She looked anxious, her head lowered and her slender frame trembling slightly.
Seeing Valerie there, she gathered her courage and said, “Ms. Reyes, I can leave if you want me to, but I won’t sell myself.”
Valerie’s tone was harsh but steady. “Relax. With me here, no one’s going to hurt you. We’re both women, and besides, you’re under the Reyes family. I’d like to see who dares touch you today.”
Elsie’s face lit up with relief. She quickly bowed her head in gratitude as the weight on her chest finally lifted.
Then, mustering her courage, she glanced at Andrew. She instantly froze in shock and blurted out, “Mr. Lloyd? It’s you?”
Andrew smiled, teasing lightly. “It’s me. But Ms. Santana, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s with the animosity? Anyone watching would think I’m taking advantage of you.”
Elsie waved her hands in a panic, stumbling over her words. “N–No! It’s not that! If I’d known it was you helping me, Mr. Lloyd, I’d never have misunderstood. I’d have trusted you completely and followed whatever you arranged.”
Valerie blinked, confused. “Wait, what? You two actually know each other?”
Elsie blushed and nodded shyly, “Yes, I’ve known Mr. Lloyd for quite some time. Thank you for standing up for me just now, Ms. Reyes, but you don’t have to worry anymore. If Mr. Lloyd wants to take me with him, I’ll go.”
Valerie froze, her mind going blank. “What did you just say? You want to go with him? You’d better think this through. I only stepped in because I pitied you, but if you really know him, you should know what he’s like. Do you honestly think you’ll still keep your innocence if you leave with him?”
Elsie’s cheeks burned crimson as she lowered her head. “As long as Mr. Lloyd is willing to take me, I’m willing to go.”
Valerie said nothing. She closed her eyes, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles cracked. It felt like the air itself was pressing down on her from every direction.
One word came to mind: annoying.
Damn it, this Andrew really had a way of getting under her skin.
Elsie was one of their prized auctioneers, someone the Reyes family had gone out of their way to recruit. Her looks alone were stunning, but her professional skills were even more remarkable.
Now, she was volunteering to leave with him?
What kind of joke was that?
Did the Reyes family have no pride left?
Andrew gave a small, helpless laugh. It seemed Elsie had completely misunderstood his intentions. “Uh, actually… Ms. Santana, I only asked for you because I wanted to catch up, that’s all.”