Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 231

Soon, Elliot drove Anastasia through a bridge, seemingly making his way to the beach. In the meantime, Anastasia was delighted, sitting in her new car while admiring the power of her new ride. Oh, I love my car so much! It’s like a wild horse that’s sprinting freely in an empty space.

Not long after that, they arrived at a coastal freeway without any signs of other cars in sight. Then, he stepped out of the vehicle to let Anastasia sit in the driver’s seat just when the lady noticed how immediately the man fasted his seatbelt and clamped the handle tightly with his hand. Does this man have no trust in me at all? Are my driving skills that terrible?

“Change the gear. Then, step on the accelerator gently and drive forward.”

Under Elliot’s instruction, Anastasia stepped on the accelerator gently to feel what it was like when her car slowly moved forward. It was then that she began to feel more and more relieved as she curled her lips upward happily. At the same time, Elliot slowly lightened up as well, his eyes becoming gentler with a smile as he was seemingly influenced by her positive aura.

As Anastasia began to drive back and forth on the same road, her grip on the steering became more and more relaxed. Meanwhile, she also started to get the hang of how much pressure she should put on the gas pedal, acting calmly, unlike her previous nervousness.

Not long after that, Elliot told her to continue driving forward as she did exactly what she was told. In the end, they arrived at a 5-star hotel, whereupon Elliot opened the door and stepped out of the car. “Why don’t you repay my favor by treating me to a meal?”

Feeling happy about her new car, Anastasia raised her eyebrows and gave an affirmative reply. “Sure!” At that moment, her phone rang, at which point she took a closer look and tapped her forehead because she had just remembered she was supposed to treat Oliver to lunch that afternoon.

“I’m sorry, Oliver. I’m a little busy at the moment, so I don’t think I can meet you for lunch. Why don’t I treat you to a meal later at night?” Anastasia postponed her appointment to the night, thinking she had more time to spare since Felicia had given her time to work on her draft.

“Alright, see you tonight then,” Oliver replied pleasantly.

“Sure, see you tonight.” Anastasia smiled, thinking she must repay the man’s favor with the dinner later for the help he had offered her earlier.As soon as Anastasia hung up the call, her eyes were met with the man’s menacing gaze like a hungry beast that was about to eat her. “What’s wrong? Can’t wait to treat another man to a meal?” Elliot mocked Anastasia.

Anastasia speechlessly replied, “You did me a favor, which is why I’m going to treat you to a meal now, but when someone else did me a favor, don’t you think I should do the same to show my appreciation? Be reasonable, could you?”

As someone who was rather sensitive with words, Elliot felt even more jealous after hearing Anastasia’s reply, wondering whether she was complaining about him. What kind of person was so kind enough to fix her computer in the middle of the night? At the thought of that, Elliot entered the restaurant with a darkened look.

When Anastasia was ordering their dishes, he appeared to be in a sulk and let her make all the decisions, which ruined her mood the moment she noticed his expression. Therefore, she propped her chin with her hands and stared at the man’s good looks with her big eyes.

This man is so handsome that I’d almost describe him as perfect if only he weren’t so arrogant. After all, his sulky look is keeping all the ladies away from him. “What pissed you off, man? Did someone owe you money?” Anastasia teased the man.

Elliot glared at the lady with an intimidating gaze. “You mustn’t fall for any other man besides me, Anastasia.”

Needless to say, Anastasia could clearly tell that the man’s words were an order instead of a warning, but nonetheless, she had grown tired of hearing them again and again, so she squinted and looked him in the eye. “President Presgrave, I’m in a good mood today, but why must you ruin it?”

Bothered by his pent-up emotions, Elliot felt as if he wanted to jump into the sea to calm himself down, but when Anastasia didn’t seem to care about that, he couldn’t help but feel disheartened about that. I’ve been by her side for so long, so does she not feel my presence at all?

“Anastasia, is your heart made of stone or something? Won’t your heart melt for someone who seemed sympathetic to you?” Elliot’s eyes were filled with resentment.

“President Presgrave, I think you should stop wasting your time on me. There is only enough room in my heart for two men in this world. One of them is my son, and the other one is my father.” Anastasia picked up the teacup, trying to play it cool, but she forgot that the tea she poured into the cup was still hot. Thus, she dropped it immediately and ended up making a fool out of herself.

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Overwhelmed by her panic, Anastasia covered her mouth and reached for the tissue paper while Elliot, who was sitting opposite her, immediately showed his concern. “Did the tea scald you? Show me.”

Anastasia covered her mouth, shaking her head. “I-I’m fine.” It’s just my tongue that got scalded.

Therefore, Elliot quickly sent for the waiter to get Anastasia a glass of ice water to cool her scalded tongue off. When the seafood was served, the lady began to dig in happily and indulge herself in it, but nonetheless, Elliot was calm and graceful like he usually was, even in front of the mouthwatering seafood. After all, he had grown up trying all kinds of nice food and was hardly impressed with the seafood Anastasia was enjoying.

In the meantime, Anastasia was biting the crab leg like a hungry little kitten, making sure she bit off all the flesh underneath the shells as she demonstrated just how strong her teeth were by leaving nothing behind.

“Watch out for your teeth.” The man reminded her out of kindness with a pair of furrowed brows on his face.

Halfway through their meal, Elliot got up from his seat and excused himself. Meanwhile, Anastasia was satisfied with her meal as she turned her attention to the window and noticed how beautiful the scenery was. Wow! There seemed to be no boundaries across the sea, and the yachts that were sailing on it made this scene look even more relaxing. I wish it could take away all the problems that are bothering me. When Elliot returned to his seat once again, he took a look at the time on his watch and said, “It’s time to go now.”

“Alright, wait for me here while I foot the bill.” Anastasia finished her words and stood up from her seat.

“No need for that. I just took care of it.” Elliot looked at her in a mischievous manner, stunning Anastasia as she was bewildered why he would beat her to it and foot the bill.

What?! Why was he desperate to foot the bill? “Why did you rush to pay the bill? Are you obsessed with footing restaurant bills?” Anastasia felt slightly unhappy that the man wouldn’t let her treat him to a meal, even though she was ready to do it.

“Let’s go.” Elliot ignored the lady’s complaint and gracefully made his way to the restaurant’s exit, turning many heads with the glamorous aura that he gave off in the process. At the same time, there were a few other women sitting at the table on the other side, as they couldn’t take their eyes off the handsome man.

Needless to say, Anastasia naturally became the person that those ladies envied, which was something she frequently experienced ever since Elliot entered her life. The next moment, Anastasia followed behind Elliot and reached her car, proudly reaching for her car keys to open the door. However, she soon saw Elliot walking toward the front passenger seat and called out to him. “President Presgrave, why are you sitting there? You need to help me drive my car back.”

“No, you’re going to drive it yourself.” Elliot opened the car door and gave Anastasia an indifferent reply.

“Wait a second! But we’re going back to the city!” Anastasia felt her anxiety surging through her, but as she saw the man sitting in her front passenger seat, she could only stomp her feet helplessly and brace herself for what she must do. Then, she saw the man fastening his seatbelts with his hand on the handlebar above his head like he had a severe phobia of female drivers. Thus, Anastasia playfully scared Elliot and said, “Sit tight, President Presgrave. Your new female driver is about to hit the road.”

“Stop messing around and focus on the road.” Elliot tilted his head, lecturing Anastasia and urging her to take her driving seriously.

After that, Anastasia nervously hit the road, driving on a highway that stretched all the way from the coast to the city. At first, she was driving comfortably in the light traffic with barely any cars on the road, but as the traffic got heavier and heavier, she began to feel so uneasy and stressed out that her palms and forehead started to sweat.

Upon entering the urban area, Anastasia couldn’t help but murmur in a fidgety manner. “Why do the people behind me keep urging me? Am I driving in the wrong lane?”

“President Presgrave, can you tell me when I can switch to another lane?’

“Is the map directing me the wrong way? I don’t seem to be driving on the right path, President Presgrave.”

“Why is the car in front of me moving so slow? Even a tortoise moves faster than it. Now, how do I overtake this car?”

“Why are you urging me, idiot?! Can’t you treat new drivers better on the road?”

As Anastasia began to lose her temper, the man standing beside her reminded her to stay calm. “You need to keep a cool head when you’re driving.”

Anastasia replied in frustration, “What’s he doing?! If I hadn’t stepped on the brake in time, I would have crashed into him.” After traveling for a few moments, a sports car suddenly sped past Anastasia’s car, shocking her so much that she turned her steering to the side while Elliot looked at her in bewilderment.

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“That was a sports car worth a few million! If I had caused so much as a scratch on it, I could kiss my car and money goodbye,” Anastasia replied, knowing well about the risk.

Elliot was rendered speechless. “Screw that. Just drive like you’re supposed to. I’ll pay for the damage if the worst comes to the worst.” His face darkened before he asked the lady on the inside if she had forgotten who was sitting right next to her.

Oh, come on, I’m someone who is going to ensure everything turns out as a success for her. Has she really forgotten who is sitting beside her now?

“What’s wrong? Are you getting scared of being my passenger?” Anastasia chuckled in irony.

Although Elliot felt helpless about the lady’s mischief, he somehow felt happy on the inside because no one else had made him feel so relaxed in a while. When they stopped at the traffic light, Anastasia turned to the man and said, “President Presgrave, there is a box of tissue paper that they gave as a gift. Could you please give me two pieces of tissue paper? Thank you.”

Elliot then reached for the box and gave the lady two pieces of tissue paper. With sweat covering her forehead, Anastasia immediately grabbed them and wiped her forehead just as the man sitting next to her chuckled at the sight of her rare true self.

Not long after that, Anastasia anxiously drove her car to the basement car park at Bourgeois. With Elliot’s guidance, she successfully parked her car in the VIP lot, which was among the lots where Elliot usually parked his car in.

“This is going to be your parking lot from now on,” Elliot said as he opened the car door and stepped out of the vehicle.

When Anastasia stepped out of her car, she started to feel a soreness in her back and shoulders, her legs feeling a little numb. Thus, she swung her shoulders in circles to relax the muscles in her arms, kicking to stretch her legs at the same time. Meanwhile, Elliot, who saw that, couldn’t help but look the other way with a chuckle, thinking he shouldn’t embarrass her by letting him see her laughing at her.

As soon as the elevator arrived on the sixth floor, Anastasia stepped out of it and looked back at the man behind her, meeting his gaze by coincidence. In that instant, she felt her heart pounding rapidly just as she decided to walk away immediately. Then, she entered Felicia’s office and told her that she had just collected her new car earlier. Also, she invited Felicia, along with both of their assistants, for lunch the next day at noon to celebrate her new car. Moments later, Anastasia returned to her office shortly before Alice entered in a hostile manner. “Where is the draft, Anastasia?”

“I talked to Felicia about that, and I’m allowed to submit it tomorrow.”

“That’s just procrastination. You’re abusing your power because you think you’re given the privilege to do so.” Alice then propped herself with her arms on the table, ridiculing Anastasia. “Don’t ever think that you’re going to win it all after seducing President Presgrave and stealing his heart.”

“Well, it takes a lot to win it all. Do you know that? But speaking of that, I don’t think my capability is outmatched by yours in any way!” Anastasia folded her arms, refuting Alice’s words.

“A true woman never relies on a man to achieve success. You’re a disgrace to all the ladies!” Alice humiliated Anastasia.

“Watch your mouth, lady! You’d better show me some respect.” Anastasia stood up and glared at Alice.

“If you want somebody else’s respect, you’re going to have to make sure you behave yourself. Everyone in our company knows that President Presgrave has a girlfriend, but you won’t stop hanging around with him every day. Do you know you look like a filthy lady to me, Anastasia?” Alice fixed her gaze upon Anastasia in a sarcastic manner, yet her eyes were filled with envy and jealousy.

On the other hand, Anastasia was aware of how her relationship with Elliot was viewed to be a laughingstock in her company, but only she knew that she didn’t do anything to seduce Elliot. Therefore, she had no choice but to bear with the misunderstanding and disdain that everyone had toward her.

“Get out of my face! I still have work to do.” Anastasia immediately cut the argument short as Alice walked away satisfactorily. After all, she only swung by Anastasia’s office to get on the latter’s nerves, trying to play on her emotions.

Soon, Anastasia gave Oliver a call fifteen minutes before she could leave work and discussed the dinner they were going to have together later that night.

“Anastasia, I applied for a leave later in the afternoon, and I’m ready to make a move anytime.”

today.” Anastasia finished her words and mocked herself. “Well, that is, if you’re not afraid to let a new female driver give you

gutsy. I’ll come to your office

Anastasia smiled and hung up

on the road with Elliot by her side, she felt less nervous now that she was

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you sure your husband is fine with you treating me to a meal, Anastasia?” Oliver asked in

that Anastasia realized she didn’t tell Oliver about herself. Thus,

he heard the lady admitting that

could

we’re living so close to each other, please don’t forget to tell me what you need, Anastasia.” Oliver scratched his head, enchanted by Anastasia’s

her elegance and gracefulness. After all, a charming lady like Anastasia was most attractive to men who

Would you like me to give you a ride to work? Because that should also help you save

smiled and replied, “Sure, but I’ll

to work anyway, so

me in a tough position to accept your offer.” Oliver insisted that he pay for her car

pay for me once every month when I

pay for your fuel

when we happen to

to give Oliver a ride to

heart sink when she saw it. Seriously, Elliot?

“Is he your boss?”

“Yeah, he is.”

and answer the call, then.” Oliver

a quiet gesture and picked up the

is your car?” The man’s magnetic voice

way to pick up my son now, so if there is

out, Anastasia!” Oliver shouted out because Anastasia’s car was about to crash into

realizing that she must not let herself get

in your car?” The caller

driving now, President Presgrave, so it’s not really a good time for me to talk now. Bye.” Anastasia eventually lost her patience and told the man that she was about

was going on, as he couldn’t help but wonder about the relationship between Anastasia

only to receive another call from the man. Just when Oliver was nervously wondering why her boss was calling again, she heard Anastasia’s reply that was about to surprise him. “Don’t bother picking

let her boss’ call go unanswered. His respect for her grew greater when she subsequently switched

a few minutes late, and that lady is now gone with another man in her car. Who’s that man, by the way? Why is he calling her Anastasia instead of Miss Tillman like she is his… What’s worse is that she had the guts to hang up my call. Did I interrupt her affair with another man? At the thought of that, Elliot clenched his fists, feeling jealous of the man who was with Anastasia as it seemed to him that Oliver

his jealousy, he began to feel restless

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sight of her sweet smile when she was driving, Elliot called his assistant, Rey, and asked him

Elliot had already gotten in, radiating an aura of rage and anger. I wonder who’s gotten

heading to the area where Anastasia lives.” The man’s

waited for Anastasia to return with her son, the kid was excited at the sight of his mother’s new car. Soon, they

able to hit it off with Oliver, having a liking for him because he appeared

no man could have resisted the motherly charm and love that Anastasia was giving off when she looked at her son. In that instant, Oliver slowly lost the courage to look at Anastasia’s smile because he was afraid

and was shocked to see 28 missed calls on her phone. The moment she viewed them, she saw

times? Wait a second. Could there be anything urgent? But if there was really something urgent, his bodyguards would have protected him, so I can’t see how his safety could

the bill, Anastasia returned to her seat shortly before she exited the restaurant. Then, Anastasia drove them back to the basement car park in their residential area. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the sight of a luxurious black car that seemed to be waiting there for no one knew how

BMW to be Anastasia’s even before he saw the license

he know that his car is now at the car park’s entrance? Nonetheless, at that moment, the tall silhouette exited the car like the intimidating and fearsome demon himself from hell. As soon as Anastasia

happy.” The child sitting in the backseat could tell from the

missed calls she saw earlier, thinking Elliot must have been mad because of that as her heart pounded rapidly. Furthermore, the man’s hot temper only served to make her fear the worst even more. Therefore, she gulped in fear before she revealed her adorable side and leaned closer to Elliot, sticking her head

emotionless statue. On the other hand, Anastasia, who sensed the man’s intimidating aura, believed that someone like him would overshadow every other

shout at me? Or is he going to

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and bent over slightly. The next second, he spoke with a magnetic voice, “I’ve been waiting

to the backseat and

not mad, are you?” the child

However, when he

gesture, knowing that Elliot was trying to assert his dominance over

front of Anastasia made its way, Anastasia turned her attention to Elliot and said, “I’ll park my car

of the side view of Jared’s face, feeling shocked by what he saw when he was trying to remind the kid to bring his belongings out of the car with him. This kid looks just like the man

himself for having to give up the idea of wooing Anastasia before he even had the chance to do anything. “Anastasia, I’ll deliver your computer to you in

to the 15th floor. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Anastasia was greeted by the sight of a man leaning against the wall with a gloomy look on his

you eaten, Mr. Presgrave?” Jared asked the man in a

haven’t.” Elliot shook his head in

told his mother, “Mom, Mr. Presgrave hasn’t eaten

the

not hungry.” The

whether he wasn’t afraid that his health would worsen because of that. After opening the door, she entered the house with her son as the man followed

anything I can cook for you?” She turned

spaghetti will do.” Elliot wasn’t particular with what he was

refrigerator, feeling fortunate that she still had the ingredients she needed in it. She then took some chicken and a jar of marinara sauce out of the refrigerator before she began cooking. While Anastasia was

to keep the air in her house fresh, she closed the kitchen door when cooking, but at that moment, the doorbell rang just when Jared said, “It

and looked at the boy. “Sit here.

door, he was greeted by the sight of a tall, buff man who stunned him.

just pass me

installation for her.” Oliver insisted on finishing his business despite the pressure Elliot was giving

fix her computer.” He extended his arms and

right in front of him. Then, when he snapped out of his trance and made

he had seen Elliot’s face before, thinking it was probably on the list of the world’s richest men. Therefore, he made his way to the elevator while reaching for his phone, browsing through the list of the world’s richest men on the internet. Soon, he found an analysis of the richest men in the world for the last five years,

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telling me that the guy who’s been hanging around Anastasia is the heir to the country’s foremost elite family and

circumstances. When he came to his

an article that explained why some of the country’s billionaires had mysteriously disappeared from the aforementioned list. Upon clicking into it, he saw that Elliot was the first person mentioned in the article, and the only reason that was accorded for

wealth was but the tip of the iceberg; what lay beneath the surface could be far

passage, Oliver suddenly felt glad that he had not been so ignorant as to

brought it over to the dining table, whereupon Jared told her happily, “Mommy, your

bedroom, only to see someone crouching by the desk and assembling something

wasn’t Oliver,

off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves, and right

wasn’t so much doubting him as she was concerned about having him work on such tedious tasks. After

faith in me,” he pointed out sarcastically as he went about the work without

the hostility of his tone. “Mind telling me what’s the deal with the 28 calls you gave me tonight? I actually thought something

her furiously as he demanded, “Anastasia, don’t you

she gaped at him speechlessly. Those who didn’t know better would have heard his angry accusation and assumed that she had taken his money after toying with his heart. Alas,

your call, but you don’t have to behave this way.” For a moment, she thought he resembled a disgruntled housewife. The idea of it made her sputter, and she laughed

looks could kill, she would be dead by now.

it was highly entertaining to see him crouching next to a laptop while trying to assemble its parts. At last, she swallowed her remaining giggles. “Okay, I’ll stop, but you have to promise me that you won’t spam me calls just because I don’t pick up the first time. I’d be scared out of my mind,” she said, showing that she truly had been worried by his incessant phone calls. Then, she put on a concerned front as she added, “I made spaghetti. Why don’t you have some before you

much done setting up the computer anyway. He rose to his feet and narrowed his eyes at her. “That guy earlier—what did you say

“Oliver,” she replied, blinking.

“Where does he work?”

the building next

“What does he do?”

programmer.” She was a little baffled by his line of

one step away from Anastasia. His gaze darkened considerably as he bit

Her hand darted out and clutched his arm as she pressed frantically, “Wait,

to watch his back if he wants to stay alive.” There was a murderous gleam in his dark eyes as he said this, and Heather thought

clear things up with him. She hurried to the door and closed it to keep her son from overhearing this conversation. “Elliot, don’t even think about

you like him or something?” Elliot asked icily without a shred of

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his girlfriend, and nothing is going on between us, so why is he

have yet to reconcile with the fact that I can like or fall for someone without having to get your permission. What right do you have to butt into

Elliot in deeper. Even the way she behaved like an agitated kitten was stroking and stirring

person will end up in the most unfortunate of situations. In the end, I’ll make sure all the men who think they have a chance with you become so miserable that they’d wish they were

closed the distance between them and backed her up against the wall. He then said, “Let me tell you something, Anastasia—a man’s body language says a lot

dangerous and domineering he was. It wasn’t just the insidious gaze in his