Chapter 217  The auction continued late into the night, with many guests still buzzing with excitement. The attendees could not stop discussing the two spectacular bidding wars that had taken place. earlier. Without exception, all the drama centered around someone named Andrew.  Michael turned to Harvey with a consoling tone, saying, “Harvey, cheer up. After all, the crown still ended up in your hands.”  He added, “Sure, Andrew may be insufferable, but in the end, he backed down and didn’t dare compete with you.”  Harvey’s forced smile looked more painful than genuine. He did not think Andrew backed down. Instead, that bastard had pushed him to the absolute limit with his underhanded tactics.  Of course, Harvey did not say his thoughts aloud. Despite the burning rage in his heart, he maintained a gracious facade as he accepted Michael’s attempts at consolation.  me,  but  Finley let out a cold short. He spat, “This guy’s got some nerve. Not only did he offend he also showed complete disrespect to both of you. Fine by me! I’ll be staying in Jayrodale for the foreseeable future. That punk won’t get away unscathed.”  In the auction house’s private reception room, Andrew received the Celestial Nymphaea, carefully packaged in an elegant box.  “Here you are, Mr. Lloyd,” Elsie said with a radiant smile, her eyes conveying unspoken interest.  As Andrew prepared to leave with his prize, a hint of disappointment crossed Elsie’s stunning face. She pouted, “Mr. Lloyd, according to our auction house tradition, such generous bidders are entitled to a private meeting with me.”  Andrew was puzzled. “A private meeting? What is it for?”  Elsie bit her lip shyly and lowered her gaze, mumbling, “To put it simply, it’s like a private date.”  Andrew finally understood and chuckled. “That won’t be necessary. Goodbye!” he said, turning to leave.  Elsie stood there stunned, unable to believe that Andrew had not even considered her offer. She had practically thrown herself at him, yet he showed zero interest.  Elsie stomped her foot in frustration, wondering, ‘What kind of man doesn’t get the hint?‘  “Elsie,” Silas said, stepping out with a faint smile. “Sometimes, it’s just not meant to be. Don’t take it to heart.”  Elsie was the face of the auction house, the belle of Radiant Group. She had never faced such  1/2  Chapter 217  treatment before.  She glared at Silas and huffed. “Mr. Vaughn, you saw it too! I couldn’t have made it any more obvious, and he still didn’t care. Does Lauren have something I don’t?”  Silas shook his head. “It’s not about being less attractive than Lauren or your beauty falling  short.”  “Then what is it?” Elsie demanded impatiently.  Silas paused, his tone turning serious. “Because you and Mr. Lloyd are not from the same world.”  He continued, “Your charm and talent might work on people like Harvey or Michael, but for someone like him? They’re just not enough. Not even close.”  Elsie bristled. “Mr. Vaughn, you’re exaggerating! What is he, some kind of Braundville elite or something?”  Silas gave her a meaningful look. “Ha! Elites from Braundville would only be fit to shine his shoes.”  Elsie froze, her jaw dropping slightly as the weight of his words sank in. Braundville’s elites would be lucky to shine his shoes? Since when did Jayrodale have such a formidable figure?