Valerie scoffed dismissively. “Andrew, cut the act. You need to at least make your lies believable. Do you really expect me to believe you’re a ninth-grade supreme alchemist? I know every single person in this country who holds that title. Your story is too transparent and poorly constructed.”

Andrew simply shrugged. “Believe it or don’t. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me. If your fancy auction house can’t impress me, then fine. I’ll just pay for the cultivation manual myself.”

Valerie crossed her arms and watched him coldly with a mocking smile, saying nothing. However, at that exact moment, an urgent voice cut through the air. “Wait!”

The auction house’s chief appraiser, Joaquin, came rushing in.

Valerie looked annoyed at the interruption. “Mr. Briggs, what are you doing?”

Joaquin’s eye twitched nervously as he leaned in close to Valerie and whispered urgently in her ear. “Ms. Reyes, you’re making a mistake. Mr. Lloyd might actually be a supreme alchemist. At the very least, he’s an eighth-grade divine alchemist.”

Valerie’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you certain?”

Joaquin gave a wry smile and explained, “Ms. Reyes, you remember we have contacts at Sovereign’s Apothecary, correct? Well, just recently, Mr. Lloyd crafted a Soul-Restoring Pill for Madam Baxter. Not many people know about this, but our contact there witnessed the entire process firsthand.”

Valerie’s face went dark as she turned to look at Andrew again, her teeth clenched so hard you could hear them grinding. At the same time, her eyes betrayed a shock she desperately tried to hide from Andrew.

This man was actually an alchemist, and not just any low-level one, but at least an eighth-grade divine alchemist.

The implications were staggering.

An eighth-grade divine alchemist who publicly announced their allegiance would have royal families in Chetvine scrambling to extend olive branches. The Reyes family and the Harding family would likely be willing to spend enormous sums to bring such a person under their banner.

No matter how proud Valerie normally was, she had no choice but to swallow her pride now.

Joaquin immediately turned to Andrew with a warm smile. “Mr. Lloyd, please accept this cultivation manual as a small token of our appreciation from the Reyes Grand Auction House. Think nothing of payment… That’s not important at all. We simply hope that the next time you decide to sell high-grade alchemical pills, you’ll consider consigning them with us.”

Andrew’s expression was unreadable as he glanced between them. “Ms. Reyes, so you’ve had a change of heart? Maybe I should just pay after all. That way, we’re even. Next time I decide to sell pills, I can choose whoever I want without the obligation to pick you.”

Joaquin’s smile never wavered. “That’s perfectly fine, absolutely fine! Please keep the manual, Mr. Lloyd. We won’t accept a single dollar from you. As for whether you bring your pills to us next time, that’s entirely up to you. The Reyes Grand Auction House will always hold guests of your caliber in the highest regard.”

Andrew let out a genuine laugh. “You certainly know how to run a business. Unlike some people around here, who frankly have the brains of a pig.”

Valerie gritted her teeth and forced herself to stay composed. “Andrew, take your win and go. Pushing things too far can cause trouble.”

Had he really just called her dumb?

Valerie had no idea where she was finding the patience. Under normal circumstances, blood would have already been spilled.

This infuriating man had done nothing but irritate her since he first arrived at the Reyes Grand Auction House.

Andrew shrugged with exaggerated casualness. “Yes, pushing too far can cause problems. I’m absolutely terrified, as you can see. Anyway, I’m done wasting time here. Now, about that auctioneer… Have her brought to me.”

Valerie’s expression turned icy cold. “You should know that the Reyes family doesn’t engage in petty schemes or underhanded dealings.”