Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 211
The two female staff chatted animatedly, not realizing that the president was right behind the glass window.
“Is it true that Miss Tillman worked as a hostess five years ago?”
That question made Elliot halt in his steps. He furrowed his brows while listening to their conversation.
“Of course it’s true! Erica from the front desk is Anastasia’s step-sister, and she said so herself! I heard that Anastasia couldn’t afford to study design overseas, so she went to a club and worked as a hostess! She was eventually hauled out of the house by her father, though.”
“In that case, where did her son come from?”
“How could you not get pregnant from selling your body? If you’re unlucky and meet any customer who has a weird kink, it’s easy to get pregnant.”
When he heard those words, Elliot felt as if something had pierced his chest. His eyes darkened, and the aura around him immediately turned icy cold.
Was that part of Anastasia’s past that she wasn’t willing to talk about? Was that Jared’s birth story? Every time they talked about her past, she would speak cautiously. It seemed that she wanted to hide most of her past.
“Which department are you two from? Leave the company on your own after lunch.” Elliot hated people who gossiped during working hours. Moreover, these ladies happened to cross him while he was in a bad mood.
“Ah… President Presgrave!” The two staff quickly covered their mouths, and it seemed like their souls had flown out of their bodies.
However, before they could regain their senses, Elliot walked away. The two exchanged glances with each other, and they felt like they were going to faint due to the sudden escalation of events. Were they fired just like that?
Meanwhile, the glass door to Anastasia’s office successfully blocked all the chaos outside. Immune to all distractions, Anastasia held her iPad in one hand while holding a pen in the other, and she sketched several designs according to her inspiration. Just as she was immersed in her drawings, someone pushed the door open and disturbed her.
Anastasia hated being interrupted. As she raised her head, she shot daggers at the uninvited man who was walking in with a long face.
After putting the iPad aside, she then questioned, “Is something up?”
Elliot walked over to her desk and propped both his hands on the table while staring into her eyes. He demanded, “Tell me the truth about your past, Anastasia. It doesn’t matter what it was like, and I promise I won’t judge.”
Anastasia thought that he was out of his mind. As she folded her arms in front of her chest, she leaned back in her chair and asked, “Which part of my past do I have to confess to you?”
Elliot’s expression changed slightly. He wanted her to leave the past behind and walk out of the dark; only then could she face the future positively, accept him, and be with him. He had to help her out of her misery.
He didn’t care about her past actions or whether she used to have any relationships with other men, for he was willing to brush everything off. To him, all that mattered was their future together.
“I heard that you worked as a hostess five years ago to fund your studies abroad, and you always went in and out of the club to serve customers. I also heard that you had Jared around that time, am | correct? You even got kicked out of the house by your father. Are all of these true?” Elliot questioned in one go.
Anastasia’s mind buzzed continuously. Other than Erica, who else would possibly make up such a cruel story?
Anastasia’s face darkened before she slammed the desk with both hands. This startled Elliot, and he looked at her with a shocked expression, not knowing what had gotten into her.
“Erica Tillman, you little b*tch!” Anastasia rarely cursed, but at this moment, she didn’t bother to be polite anymore. She just wanted to give Erica a good scolding.
Meanwhile, Elliot’s eyes widened as he watched her.
Anastasia got up and left through the door, leaving a puzzled Elliot standing there by himself.
Once the elevator arrived on the first floor, Anastasia made her way to the front desk while exuding an intimidating aura. Erica was playing with her phone, but when she saw Anastasia walking over, she got up guiltily. By the time Anastasia was right in front of her, Erica wrapped her arms around her head and warned, “Go on if you dare to hit me! I’ll tell Dad about it!”
“Erica Tillman, I’m giving you two choices. One, leave the company and go home. Two, take full responsibility for your words and let me slap you in the face!”
“Are you afraid that I’ll expose you? Isn’t it true that you got laid by a host five years ago?!” Erica shouted.

Chapter 212
Anastasia’s face instantly turned pale. Then, she picked up a folder on the desk and threw it at Erica’s face.
“Ah.” It hurt so bad that Erica cried out in pain. The sharp corner of the folder scratched her face, leaving an obvious scar.
*Ouch! My face! My face…’ Erica cherished her face dearly. Even though blood wasn’t oozing out of the scratch, she felt devastated.
When Elliot came out of the elevator, he realized he was too late; Anastasia was already teaching Erica a lesson.
*Stop it, Anastasia,’ ordered Elliot in a low voice. The woman needed to be disciplined sometimes, and Elliot feared that she would ruin her own reputation by going too far.
The other ladies at the front desk had been watching the fun, but once they saw the president, they shivered and quickly retreated to the back.
Nonetheless, Anastasia ignored the man as he came to persuade her. She stared at Erica and said, “Do you swear that every insult you’ve spread about me is real?”
‘Yes, I swear!” Erica yelled.
‘Alright, go on and swear that every word you’ve said is true. If there’s even one fabricated lie, you’ll be hit by a car once you exit the building!” Anastasia was so furious that she couldn’t behave rationally anymore.
*LL’Erica dared not do so. Just like everyone else, she was afraid of karma. What if the heavens punished her for this?
Upon hearing that, Elliot stared at Erica coldly. When he saw that she stuttered for a long time and didn’t dare to swear on her life, he realized that she must have made up those stories about Anastasia.
‘You don’t dare to swear on your life, do you?!”
“You ruined my face! I’m going to tell Mom and Dad!” Erica instantly held onto this matter. After all, her face was still burning from the scratch just now!
“Erica Tillman, just resign on your own and head to the HR department right now. We don’t need people who talk nonsense in the company.’ Elliot’s cold gaze swept across Erica.
The woman shuddered in response. She glanced at the handsome man in front of her as she couldn’t believe that he had fired her on the spot.
That bitch, Anastasia Tillman!
Erica scolded in her heart. She was going to seek revenge on her one day!
After grabbing her bag, she stomped out of the lobby while feeling aggrieved. She didn’t even bother going through her resignation process with the HR department.
Anastasia was like a fiery rose with thorns all over her body. When her gaze swept across the other ladies at the front desk, they quivered in panic and fear. After all, they were afraid that they would get involved too. What if Elliot decided to fire them all?
‘Miss Tillman, we didn’t talk bad about you…”
That’s right. Erica was the only one who spread the rumors. We…”
Of course, Anastasia knew that they were also involved in disseminating such rumors. However, since it was all Erica’s fault, she didn’t want to say anything more. Instead, she turned on her heels and left the building because she needed some time alone.
Elliot squinted his eyes and immediately followed her out of the building, fearing that she would do something unthinkable as she wasn’t in her right mind.
Indeed, Anastasia wasn’t completely herself. She raised her head to look at the green pedestrian light across her, but just as she stepped onto the pedestrian crossing, the lights instantly turned red.
Fortunately, a strong arm gripped her and pulled her back to the side of the road. A frustrated and angry voice sounded beside her ears as Elliot yelled, “Are you trying to die?!”
In response, she looked up at the man while mocking herself, “Didn’t you believe their nonsense too? | worked as a hostess and have entertained many men. I’m a filthy woman, so don’t touch me if you don’t want to dirty your hands.”
Elliot held both her thin shoulders while narrowing his eyes. Even though he knew that she was just saying that out of anger, he was enraged upon hearing those words. He then scolded, “You’re not allowed to give up on yourself!”
All of a sudden, Anastasia was spewing nonsense in front of him. Her clear and round eyes widened as she uttered seriously, “I am filthy. Other men have touched me, so just go on and judge me however you want to! …”
Before she could finish her sentence, she felt a large palm holding the back of her head. Another hand was clutching her waist, and the person’s minty lips covered her own.
Elliot kissed her.
They were currently standing beside the road full of traffic where people came and went. With that, Elliot forced Anastasia into a kiss.

Chapter 213 Ruin My Daughter

Blood gushed into her brain as a shade of crimson crept up her cheeks, and Anastasia froze because of his actions.

All she felt was the hot kiss that Elliot left on her lips. In order to show her that he wasn’t going to look down on her, he dived in for a long and desperate kiss.

Anastasia’s mind went blank as she let him take control of her.

When Elliot let go of her, he pressed his forehead against hers and uttered in a low and hoarse voice, “Listen up, Anastasia. I don’t despise you, so you can’t despise me too. I don’t care about your past; I just want to be in your future.”

At that moment, Anastasia was blushing uncontrollably. She shoved him away in anger and glared at him. Was he insane?!

They were at the entrance of the company. If anyone saw them, she would never be able to clear up this misunderstanding.

“I’m warning you, Elliot…” Anastasia suddenly threatened.

“You’d better not touch me, or else…”

“You’ll marry me,” Elliot smirked, finishing her sentence on behalf of Anastasia.

The woman stared at him, dumbfounded. She couldn’t think of any words to refute him for a while, so she turned around and headed toward another commercial street.

This time, Elliot didn’t chase after her anymore. He had calmed down by then, and he believed that she wouldn’t have any thoughts of suicide anymore. After all, she loved her son far too much to do that.

On the other hand, Anastasia sat down in a cafe with her face flushed.

No one saw us earlier, right?

She was silently praying that no one had seen them kiss. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to work in the office anymore.

Elliot always took advantage of her regardless of the occasion, and he was a terrible person for that.

When her cup of iced coffee was served, Anastasia took a small sip. They were currently going through late Autumn in November, so a cup of iced coffee was enough to calm her nerves down. Her sudden outburst of anger earlier was due to the accumulation of resentment she had toward Erica since she was a child, and she couldn’t take it any longer.

Now that she thought about it, she didn’t have to be upset. After all, she was only hurting herself.

Her phone rang at that moment, notifying Anastasia of a call from her father. She never expected to hurt Erica with the folder she had thrown at her.

“Hi, Dad.” Anastasia picked up the call.

“What happened to you and Erica, Anastasia? Did you two fight?” Francis inquired in an accusing tone.

“Yes, and I accidentally injured her,” Anastasia apologized.

At that moment, Naomi’s angry voice sounded from the other end as she spoke. “Anastasia Tillman! Are you trying to ruin my daughter? Are you happy now that her face is scratched?!”

When she heard that, Anastasia furrowed her brows. Was her dad at home?

“You’ve always bullied my daughter, Erica! Why does she have such a hard life? She hasn’t even been at work for two days, yet you’ve already hurt her! Don’t cross the line, Anastasia.” Naomi sounded exasperated.

A speechless Anastasia rolled her eyes. Naomi was acting like the guilty party who was filing the suit and pretending to be pitiful.

“You should ask your daughter how she slandered me at work first,” Anastasia retorted without backing down.

“It isn’t like you don’t know Erica’s temper. She’s just straightforward and likes to be nosy sometimes. That doesn’t give you the right to dismiss her from her job and hurt her. If the scratch leaves a scar on her face, I’m never going to forgive you,” said Naomi as she huffed, not forgetting to justify her daughter’s actions.

“Alright, that’s enough. Their fight isn’t that serious,” Francis reassured Naomi as the woman sobbed.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be hanging up. Goodbye, Dad.” Anastasia had had enough of Naomi. She was pretending to be pitiful in front of her dad, and she wanted to let Anastasia know her place in Francis’ heart.

Back at the office, Elliot suppressed the gossip about Anastasia and fired three employees. In just one day, he had fired Anastasia’s step-sister as well as two other female staff. His actions made the other staff panic, and no one dared to talk bad about Anastasia anymore.

When the woman returned to the office, no one dared to utter a word in front of her, but curious eyes were still locked on her behind Anastasia’s back.

Seeing how President Presgrave had defended her, was she really in a relationship with him?

After today’s incident, that rumor seemed to have become reality.

Chapter 214 Be Careful, Hayley

How nice would it be to sleep with President Presgrave? This was the inner voice of most female staff.

I’m so envious that Elliot Presgrave gets to have Anastasia Tillman! Meanwhile, this was the inner voice of most male staff.

Anastasia sat in her office with a headache, and all of her inspiration had dissipated by then. Even more so, her mind was filled with the kiss that happened on the streets earlier. Was Elliot just repaying her kindness, or did he really like her?

Back at Tillman Residence, Erica was staring at her swollen face in the mirror as she gnashed her teeth in anger. Anastasia merely wanted to ruin her face! If it weren’t for her luck, Erica might have suffered a huge cut on her face.

“I won’t let you off so easily, Anastasia! I will make you pay back double for today’s humiliation,” hissed Erica. Once she was done scolding Anastasia, she picked up her phone and dialed Hayley’s number.

“Hello, Erica.” Hayley was as friendly as ever.

“Do you know what I went through today, Hayley? My face was almost ruined by Anastasia.”

Hayley was extremely surprised when she heard that. She hurriedly asked, “What happened between the both of you?”

“Let’s not mention it.” While Erica said not to mention it, she proceeded to explain the entire incident. However, she didn’t mention that she only went to work at Bourgeois because of Elliot. Instead, she simply said that she needed a job.

“What? You went to Bourgeois to work for two days?” Hayley was shocked, but she was even more relieved that she hadn’t gone to the atelier for the past two days.

“I just wanted to gain some experience there, but I didn’t expect Anastasia to treat me like an eyesore. Not only did she ruin my face, she even took the chance to fire me,” said Erica as she huffed in exasperation. At the same time, she smiled proudly while uttering, “Of course, I didn’t let her have it all. I told the whole company that she worked as a hostess and entertained customers in a club, and she even got laid by a host five years ago. The whole company is treating her like a joke now!”

However, Hayley was anxious to hear that, so she inquired tentatively, “Do you remember what the host looked like? What about his stage name?”

“Weren’t you the one who arranged it? How would I know? Anyway, you should have selected an ugly host for her in the first place. That way, she’d be disgusted to death. Why did you even get her a host? What a waste of money.” Erica had been partying like a wild animal that night, and it was Hayley’s idea all along. She was just watching the fun.

Hayley heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing that. She figured that the heavens had helped Anastasia out that fateful night five years ago. She assumed that the host had run away with the 2,000 he received from Hayley when he saw another man in the private room. As for why Elliot had shown up in the private room she booked, she guessed he had probably been drunk and entered the wrong room.

What a bummer! Anastasia slept with Elliot and even gave birth to his son. Hayley desperately wished that she had been in Anastasia’s position that night.

“Hayley, what have you been up to these days? We haven’t gone shopping in a long time,” Erica complained.

“When your face heals, I’ll treat you to a nice meal.” Hayley had to maintain her relationship with Erica. Who knew she might be of use to Hayley one day?

person. Since she had her mother’s protection,

luxurious mansion, put down her phone. At that moment, her mind was already full of schemes. How much would Elliot despise Anastasia after knowing that she worked as a

Anastasia would be judged, but she didn’t expect to hear that Elliot fired three employees because of that woman! All of a sudden, she nearly choked on her

Hayley couldn’t believe that Erica met Elliot without telling her about

the same day. You’d better be careful, Hayley. Anastasia is a cunning woman! She managed to enchant

sincerely, her words sounded extremely harsh to the

215 Elliot’s Girlfriend

I’m the only woman sleeping with him every night, so don’t worry about it!” Hayley couldn’t help but

latter thought that she was Elliot’s real girlfriend while Anastasia was just

haunting me? Why do you have to circle around Elliot all the time?

As he sat in front of his desk, there

He wanted to know the b*stard who slept with her so that he could figure out how to help her in any way

opened her mouth, he would definitely find that

Elliot thought of someone—Hayley knew exactly what happened to Anastasia back

thought about Hayley anymore. He had only given Hayley material compensation, but it still struck him how Hayley didn’t appear as

about how bad of a scar he had left on her, he blamed himself for it. Now that Hayley accepted his material compensation while he did everything in his power to satisfy her current situation,

made a

you?” Hayley sounded

you free tonight? I’ll treat

I

you a

much, Elliot.” Hayley grabbed

that, Elliot hung up the phone. He was aware of Hayley’s admiration for him, but he couldn’t accept her feelings. All he felt for her was guilt, and there was nothing

Anastasia. It took her a while to pick

cold as ice. Although she knew that Elliot was calling her, she still sounded

hearing her answer. Indeed, Anastasia knew how to

tonight, so I won’t be eating at your place,”

a little happier. “Okay,

in a friendlier way?” asked Elliot in

it is common courtesy to respect others first for them to respect you?” Anastasia mocked. After all, someone who forcefully kissed and took advantage of

a few seconds, Elliot replied, “Okay, I’ll keep that in

up the phone after that, leaving Elliot stunned. He had always been the first one to end

makeup artists and stylists to prepare her for dinner. Although it was just a meal with Elliot, she had to make

brag in front of Anastasia and let her know that she

chances for Hayley to show off, she wanted to grab this

Hayley arrived at Bourgeois. She purposely went to Anastasia’s office, attracting all the eyes

President Presgrave’s real

she here for Anastasia? Is this a meeting between love rivals? Will

pick up her son, Grace suddenly barged

then, Hayley shot a glare at the assistant and flaunted her status. “Get out,” she said with

her tongue out in response and left. Meanwhile, Anastasia sneered to herself as she

here are not maids you can order around

as she sat down on the

and my family. You have no part in this.”

do you mean I have no part in this? Erica is my best friend, and it’s only right that I defend her. Just because your mother saved Elliot, don’t

rage, for Hayley had crossed the line. Anybody could talk sh*t about her, but nobody was allowed

mouth, Hayley. Otherwise, I’ll skin you alive.” Anastasia shot

was Anastasia’s taboo. “Some people are destined to live a short life, and your mother was one of

practically digging her heart out! With that, Anastasia came out from behind her desk. Sometimes, a hand was more useful

Hayley, who dodged reflexively.

a second longer, I will even kill you,” said Anastasia

you dare kill me, who’s going

she glared daggers at Hayley. She was

had leverage over Anastasia. “Oh, that reminds me! I think I still remember his name and face. Why don’t I help your son find his

one second. “I dare you, Hayley.” Anastasia looked

from you? In that case, you’d better not give me your attitude. I have a date

suddenly felt a pang in her heart. She then looked at Hayley, who was

available. He has

on, Hayley. I can overlook what you did to me back

too; how would you have had your son if it weren’t

A moment later, she looked coldly at Hayley. “Stop bugging me, or I won’t play nice

that gigolo to come to you. However, if you continue to pester Elliot, I’ll make sure your son meets his gigolo of a father. When that time comes, you’d better pray that he doesn’t take

dares to show himself. Have you forgotten that you’re also responsible for what happened back then?” Anastasia wasn’t going down with a fight either, and she didn’t want

continue to bully if they

was only intimidating Anastasia, and there wasn’t any gigolo at

You Can Tell Me

I won’t tell anyone what happened back then. Otherwise, your son will know how he came to be. Even if you call the police and have the gigolo arrested,

hell out of here!”

my date with Elliot anyway. You’d better not bother us tonight, and I dare you to ruin our night with work. We will be very busy the entire night, after all. I’m sure you know just how good of a

on her chair weakly. Her body trembled involuntarily as all sorts of emotions stirred within her, and she felt

woman knew precisely where to strike. After all, her mother and son were the people she loved most. Elliot, on the other hand, wasn’t somebody

he was a b*stard for dating Hayley while kissing her with the same pair of lips that he had used to

would be doing in bed;

away from Elliot; she would never

call from Daniel. Alas, she had her

reasonable that he was somewhat fearful of her after what had happened last time. Then again, he felt truly bad for the woman after making out

bad that she couldn’t do anything but only hope that President Presgrave would visit her in this lavish mansion like she was a caged bird unwilling to be

am I pretty?” Hayley asked out of the

genuinely afraid whenever she called him

look stunning, Miss

you think President Presgrave

closely with Elliot, and he could tell that the president fancied the

how she looked that night. In fact, she hoped Elliot that would take her back

car continued its journey to the high-end

the private room. The moment she opened the door, her heart pounded wildly, for he’d be able to capture all of her attention and have her lose herself whenever she saw

called out affectionately as she sat

their order. Since he was a gentleman, he let Hayley decide what they were going to eat that night, and like a fish craving for water, she viewed

surely had feelings for her. Unfortunately, the vamp

ordering our dishes, Elliot. Why don’t you

to eat. Instead, he was here to find out what

silent for a while, and Hayley fidgeted around nervously for some time. She tried to get Elliot’s attention, but he would either look out the window or stare at

up in a coquettish voice.

do have something to ask you, Hayley,” said Elliot as he looked up

218 Anastasia

“Sure, I’ll tell

Anastasia growing up. I want to know how she lost her chastity and who was the

upon hearing his question. With that, she pursed her lips and

evident Elliot wasn’t going to

the one who defiled Anastasia back then. Of course,

she wouldn’t have gone into that room, and she wouldn’t have encountered that psycho. Even when Anastasia wrongly accused me of what happened, I

wrongly accuse you

woman, but still, she has lost her virginity. She hates me. She said I had purposely arranged for that man to be in there, and I created the tragedy that befell her. I accept all her accusations since I do deserve to be d*mned. In fact, I shouldn’t have asked her to come at all. I was with some clients at that time, and they were being handsy, so I asked Anastasia to come and save me. However, I didn’t expect her to go to the wrong

as well. Was this how everything went down

asked, “In that