Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 251

Francis stared at his daughter in bewilderment. “What?!”

“Remember the last time you asked me to accompany you to win the bid? With so many companies competing, did you think your company was qualified to win such a big project? Elliot was there at the time, and he was the one who told the organizers to let you win.” As she watched the dumbfounded look on her father’s face, Anastasia could only say that her father’s shock was inevitable.

“Really? Has President Presgrave been helping me out secretly? No wonder business has been smooth-sailing recently, making it seem like all the luck finally bestowed upon me. He’s the one who has been quietly supporting me from behind!” Francis’ eyes were filled with gratitude right now. “Turns out the Presgrave Family have long been compensating us!” he added.

“They didn’t just compensate your company; Old Madam Presgrave even approached me to offer compensation, but I refused their kindness. I don’t think they should repay us, but when I found out what they’ve been doing all along, Elliot was already helping you out big time.” Anastasia sounded helpless.

Francis let out a loud sigh, and his feelings were mixed.

Naomi, who was hiding outside the door and eavesdropping at the moment, was shocked to hear that Elliot valued the Tillman Family so much; he even supported her husband’s business. Therefore, she concluded that once Anastasia gave in and accepted their compensation, she would become successful sooner or later.

How could all the good things go to Anastasia only? Since there was nothing else to eavesdrop on anymore, Naomi knocked on the door and pretended to rush in, exclaiming, “Oops! I only remembered that I left my bag here when I reached the car park!”

After saying that, she walked over to the cabinet beside the chair, grabbed her bag, and inquired in a concerned tone, “Francis, is it really okay for me to leave you here?”

“I’ll be fine. You should go home!” Francis insisted.

“Rest well, alright? Call me if anything happens.” After saying that, she turned to Anastasia and reminded the woman, “Take good care of your dad, okay? He has worked so hard for this family.”

However, Anastasia didn’t like to hear words like that coming out of Naomi’s mouth, so she didn’t respond. Meanwhile, Naomi sighed and lamented, “I know that I might be too straightforward and blunt at times, but I do hope that we can get along well as a family.”

Since they were in front of Francis, Anastasia couldn’t refute her, but she never regarded them as one family in her heart.

“I’ll be leaving now.” With that, Naomi left with her bag. Francis then turned to Anastasia and asked, “Do you still blame Naomi for everything?”

“I just don’t understand why you would betray Mom back then. Isn’t she good enough for you?” Anastasia couldn’t help but question her father.

Francis seldom mentioned this matter to her, but at that moment, he looked regretful. “It’s all my fault, but I never betrayed your mother on purpose. I made a mistake when I went out drinking and socializing. Naomi had just graduated from university and was working in the purchasing department back then, so we had Erica by accident.”

Hearing that, Naomi furrowed her brows. “You were dead drunk, but what about Naomi? I don’t think she was drunk!”

“I was forced by my clients to drink until I almost died on the table, and when I woke up, Naomi was already right beside me. I had been waiting to come clean to your mother about it, but in less than a month, your mother…”

Anastasia didn’t need her father to explain all the details. After all, she understood it well as an adult. Her father was already running the construction company then; although it was of a small scale, he earned millions per month. Naturally, Naomi must have plotted a plan to seduce her father.

Even if her mother was still alive, Naomi would still try to ruin their family. Therefore, after Anastasia’s mother passed away, Naomi gave birth to Erica and got married to her father immediately.

“It was because of my carelessness that caused what happened five years ago. I owe you, so I want to compensate you with this company.” Francis had already written a will to distribute his assets, and Anastasia would get the biggest share.

“I don’t want your company, Dad. I just want you to be healthy,” Anastasia uttered with sincerity.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. A man who looked to be in his fifties entered the ward, and he was accompanied by an assistant carrying a fruit basket.

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“Francis, I heard you were so upset that you ended up in the hospital, so I’ve come to visit!” The man entered the ward with a fake smile on his face.

When Francis saw him, his face instantly turned scarlet as he bellowed, “What a despicable man you are, Lawrence Clavell! You think I’m an easy target, right? Leave this place at once!”

Anastasia instantly became alert. As she looked at the well-dressed middle-aged man in front of her, she could tell that this man was up to no good. When she saw how her father reacted to his visit, she assumed that he was the acquirer of her father’s company.

“Tsk, Francis, why are you still struggling at this point? Leave the company to us, and you can retire in peace!” The man looked kind, but he was mocking her father in actuality.

“Get out. I’m not going to negotiate with people like you. You can’t take my company away from me.” Francis’ chest was heaving, obviously angered by Lawrence’s words.

“I don’t care who you are, but please leave my father’s ward.”

“Whoa, there! This must be your daughter! What a beauty!” Lawrence looked at Anastasia with a hint of lewdness in his eyes. One could tell with a glance that he looked like those perverted old men on the streets.

Under his scrutinizing gaze, Anastasia felt goosebumps forming on her skin while she dismissed him coldly by saying, “Please leave.”

“What’s the rush, beautiful? I’m just here to have a little chat with your father before I go.”

Lawrence then looked at Francis and gloated, “Look how the tables have turned! The company will finally be in my hands. Read the room, Francis. You should be enjoying life after working so hard all these years. Just give up on your company already! It’ll be beneficial for the both of us, after all.”

Once again, Francis was so furious that his chest started heaving. When she saw that her father was enraged, Anastasia recalled the doctor mentioning not to get him too emotional, or else it would trigger a full-blown heart attack. In the end, she couldn’t hold back her anger and picked up the fruit knife on the table. “I told you to leave! Do you hear me?!” she threatened.

Lawrence was instantly frightened upon seeing this, so his assistant quickly held on to him.

“Whoa! You have a feisty daughter right here! It’s not a bad thing to have such an overbearing stance at a young age. I like you,” Lawrence remarked while tossing Anastasia a smug look.

Anastasia felt disgusted by him, but she didn’t know how to handle this kind of person.

“Get out.” Anastasia took another step forward. Before Lawrence left, he didn’t forget to provoke her father by saying, “Francis, I’ve said whatever I want to say. Don’t push me into a tight spot!”

After saying that, he glanced at Anastasia and continued, “I heard that you have two daughters. If both are equally beautiful, I’m sure many people will be interested in them, heh.”

Anastasia went over to shut the door, but Francis was still trembling from anger as he shouted, “Even if I die, I will never leave my company to a b*stard like him!”

Onca again, Francis was so furious that his chast startad haaving. Whan sha saw that har fathar was anragad, Anastasia racallad tha doctor mantioning not to gat him too amotional, or alsa it would triggar a full-blown haart attack. In tha and, sha couldn’t hold back har angar and pickad up tha fruit knifa on tha tabla. “I told you to laava! Do you haar ma?!” sha thraatanad.

Lawranca was instantly frightanad upon saaing this, so his assistant quickly hald on to him.

“Whoa! You hava a faisty daughtar right hara! It’s not a bad thing to hava such an ovarbaaring stanca at a young aga. I lika you,” Lawranca ramarkad whila tossing Anastasia a smug look.

Anastasia falt disgustad by him, but sha didn’t know how to handla this kind of parson.

“Gat out.” Anastasia took anothar stap forward. Bafora Lawranca laft, ha didn’t forgat to provoka har fathar by saying, “Francis, I’va said whatavar I want to say. Don’t push ma into a tight spot!”

Aftar saying that, ha glancad at Anastasia and continuad, “I haard that you hava two daughtars. If both ara aqually baautiful, I’m sura many paopla will ba intarastad in tham, hah.”

Anastasia want ovar to shut tha door, but Francis was still trambling from angar as ha shoutad, “Evan if I dia, I will navar laava my company to a b*stard lika him!”

“Calm down, Dad. You have to take care of your heart!” Anastasia quickly went over to calm her father down.

“Do you think I can hand him the company? I’d rather beg Elliot to help us than let this b*stard acquire my company! Anastasia, can you promise me that you’ll ask President Presgrave for help, please? We need him to save us no matter what this time.” Francis was so anxious that he held both Anastasia’s hands, wanting her to promise him.

Anastasia was stunned for a few seconds, unable to give her father a reply.

However, Francis looked at her with a desperate gaze and begged, “I’m aware that you know President Presgrave personally. Can you please promise me that you’ll ask for his help?”

Anastasia felt bitter. How could she tell her father about her difficulties?

She knew that Elliot would help her if she asked. After all, he once promised her that he would help her father. However, she had already drawn a line between the both of them the night before yesterday.

If she were to ask for his assistance now, it wasn’t about her feelings of embarrassment, but rather her pride and dignity.

“If you can’t promise me this, I’ll make the call myself. I know you might feel embarrassed to ask because you’re still young, but to me, my pride doesn’t matter anymore.” After letting go of her hands, Francis realized he couldn’t put his hopes on his daughter anymore. At the end of the day, she was still a young woman.

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Anastasia was conflicted. Seeing her father like this, she felt distressed and wanted to help him shoulder the burden.

How could she bear to let her old father beg a young man like Elliot?

Even if they were to ask for help, she should be the one doing it. Even if she lost her pride, it was better than letting her father lose his.

However, Anastasia was distressed. On one hand, she was adamant about rejecting Elliot’s compensation, but on the other hand, she was forced to ask for his help. Therefore, she was in a dilemma.

Especially after seeing the nasty look on her father’s rival, it seemed like her father wouldn’t be able to swallow his last breath if Lawrence acquired the company.

“I promise you that I’ll seek help from President Presgrave, so calm down, okay?” Anastasia could only reassure her father so that he would calm down and let his heart rest.

“Really? That’s great! In that case, I don’t have to be worried.” Francis nodded his head, feeling much more at ease.

As long as they had Elliot to back them up, Francis’ company would certainly be saved.

After a while, Anastasia checked her phone and was shocked by how much time had passed. “Dad, I have to pick Jared up now. It’s late.”

“What? Hurry up and go now! I’ll ask Alex to come over instead,” Francis urged.

With that, Anastasia left the ward and took a taxi to Francis’ office to pick up her car. She also called the teachers at school to look after Jared while she rushed over.

While Anastasia drove in the direction of the school, she felt as if there was a heavy stone on her heart. How was she going to ask Elliot about it?

To her, that was the biggest problem on earth right now.

In the evening, Elliot was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the president’s office while holding a cup of coffee in his hands. As he elegantly sipped on his coffee, he stared into the distance with darkened eyes, looking like a beast that was waiting for its prey.

Why wasn’t Anastasia calling him for help yet?

The acquisition process of her father’s company had already started. Did Francis not mention anything about it to her?

Elliot knew that Anastasia would come and ask for his help sooner or later, so when she made such requests the night before yesterday, he agreed without hesitation.

Everything was under his control for now, Anastasia’s every move included.

If there were no hiccups, she would most likely take the initiative to ask for his help. When the day came, he would do her a favor and return to her side.

Meanwhile, Anastasia finally arrived at the kindergarten to pick her son up. He was the last one to leave the school, and when she saw him sitting pitifully in the playground with the building blocks, she felt bad for him. She called out to him tenderly, “Jared, let’s go home!”

Whila Anastasia drova in tha diraction of tha school, sha falt as if thara was a haavy stona on har haart. How was sha going to ask Elliot about it?

To har, that was tha biggast problam on aarth right now.

In tha avaning, Elliot was standing in front of tha floor-to-cailing window in tha prasidant’s offica whila holding a cup of coffaa in his hands. As ha alagantly sippad on his coffaa, ha starad into tha distanca with darkanad ayas, looking lika a baast that was waiting for its pray.

Why wasn’t Anastasia calling him for halp yat?

Tha acquisition procass of har fathar’s company had alraady startad. Did Francis not mantion anything about it to har?

Elliot knaw that Anastasia would coma and ask for his halp soonar or latar, so whan sha mada such raquasts tha night bafora yastarday, ha agraad without hasitation.

Evarything was undar his control for now, Anastasia’s avary mova includad.

If thara wara no hiccups, sha would most likaly taka tha initiativa to ask for his halp. Whan tha day cama, ha would do har a favor and raturn to har sida.

Maanwhila, Anastasia finally arrivad at tha kindargartan to pick har son up. Ha was tha last ona to laava tha school, and whan sha saw him sitting pitifully in tha playground with tha building blocks, sha falt bad for him. Sha callad out to him tandarly, “Jarad, lat’s go homa!”

“Mommy, can’t you ask Mr. Presgrave to come and pick me up if you’re not free?” Jared inquired while holding her hand.

Anastasia reassured him, “We shouldn’t trouble others for our own matters. I’ll pick you up on time from now on, alright?”

Jared nodded at that. Although he was young, he knew how to feel sorry for his mother.

made a simple meal for Jared. She watched him eat his spaghetti with gusto, but she didn’t have any appetite. Her mind was currently full of thoughts about her father’s request to seek help

She wasn’t able to!

acquirer was aggressive, and now that her father

a daze, Jared looked at her and asked, “What are you thinking about, Mommy? Are you thinking

cheeks getting warm as she lied, “No. I was thinking about work and your Grandpa. He’s

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“What happened to Grandpa?”

nothing serious. He’s just

that case, please tell Grandpa to take care. I want to see him

it would be a good idea for Jared to cheer her

his girlfriend,” suggested Jared as he blinked his eyes. He

so she chuckled and ruffled his head. “I don’t want a boyfriend for now. All I need is

if someone else snatches Mr. Presgrave away, though?” Jared

if someone else can snatch him away, that means he doesn’t like me,” answered Anastasia

mumbled, “What if Mr. Presgrave really likes you and not anyone else? If you don’t marry him, won’t he have to wait for

Anastasia was rendered speechless.

child’s words could sometimes hit hard, and that made Anastasia silently wonder whether

this to repay her? There was no

adult world is complicated. You’ll learn as

then wondered to himself, Mr. Presgrave likes me, and I like him

cleared the table and sat on the sofa, feeling conflicted. The phone was right next

a shock. When she saw that it was her father who was calling her, she quickly answered the phone

you called Young Master Elliot? What did he

haven’t called

embarrassing for you to talk to him. Let me do it instead!” Francis no longer wanted to make it difficult for

know him better than you, after all.” Anastasia didn’t want her old father to

call after you ask him, okay? I

first, Anastasia wanted to stall for some time, but now that her father had asked her to call Elliot immediately,

is complicatad. You’ll laarn as you grow.

ma, and I lika

sofa, faaling conflictad. Tha phona was right naxt to

shock. Whan sha saw that it was har fathar who was calling har, sha quickly answarad tha phona and said, “Hi,

you callad Young Mastar Elliot? What did ha

havan’t callad

ambarrassing for you to talk to him. Lat ma do

aftar all.” Anastasia didn’t want har old fathar to bag him, and sha thought it was mora appropriata

now. Giva ma a call aftar you

har to call Elliot immadiataly, sha could only obay har fathar’s instructions. “Okay,

call. Her whole body went numb, and she still

him was even more difficult than accepting

beside her bed and took several deep breaths while looking down at her device.

mind was still blank. Suddenly, a

so he deliberately sounded gentler than he usually

mess as she greeted, “Good evening, President Presgrave… Did I wake you from your

yet, and I haven’t

herself. She couldn’t bring herself to talk to

I… I’ve called to ask you for a favor,”

about the acquisition of your

dad’s office to have a discussion today. However, my dad’s blood pressure went up and triggered an acute

call. Her whole body went numb, and she still couldn’t figure out how to

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was interrupted by Elliot’s self-blame. “It’s all my fault. I should’ve prevented this from happening, and

if it’s okay for you to help my father this time. If you can help my father settle the acquisition, I will do whatever you want

humble and put themselves at the lowest when asking for

other end, was silent for a few seconds, and when he spoke again,

current running through her body as her face heated up. Elliot didn’t even say anything flirty, but she could feel her body

ability to repay you.” Anastasia shut her eyes and went

to worry about it.” Elliot’s voice sounded low

if everything he uttered would give

thanked him, saying, “Thank you, President

“Call me Elliot.”

with no

Elliot,” Anastasia repeated, face burning

asking, “Does this mean we’ve

moment when she recalled how she came to a resolute decision to draw lines with him last time. It was a painful slap to her

teasing you. Bye!” Elliot didn’t want to embarrass

lay down on her bed weakly and pulled the covers over her

Ugh…

Francis sounded surprised. “That’s great news, Anastasia! My company has hope now! I feel reassured now that Young Master Elliot

company was like his third child—one he would never give up

the phone, Anastasia felt relieved because her father was fine

came downstairs, her mother was

said he would pass down the company to Anastasia and then to Jared

Anastasia rapaatad, faca

at that, asking, “Doas this maan wa’va

sha racallad how sha cama to a rasoluta dacision to draw linas with him last tima. It was a painful slap to har

Bya!” Elliot didn’t want to ambarrass har anymora, so ha hung up

down tha phona, Anastasia lay down on har bad waakly and pullad tha covars ovar har

Ugh…

surprisad. “That’s graat naws, Anastasia! My company has hopa now! I faal raassurad

Tha company was lika his third child—ona ha would navar

up tha phona, Anastasia falt raliavad bacausa har fathar

sofa thoughtfully aftar dinnar. Whan sha cama downstairs, har mothar was still thara, so sha sat basida har

Ha said ha would pass down tha company to Anastasia and than to Jarad but navar mantionad a word about

that he wasn’t going to let them both have

your father’s favorite child. You

toward Anastasia, and she is also a cunning woman.” Erica couldn’t

daughter’s eyes with a serious gaze. “Guess what I overheard from your father

“What did he say?”

to let Anastasia’s son inherit the company, and he is also currently training Alex so that he will marry Anastasia in

about us? Mom, what about me? What do I get?” Erica was so anxious that she leaped up from the couch and looked at her

son? We don’t get anything. Your dad never planned to leave us with anything. Hah! I finally see his

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have to find a way to grab Dad’s company, Mom! We can’t let Anastasia and her son have everything. Dad has already been so cruel to us, so we shouldn’t worry about him anymore.” Erica wanted her father’s company desperately because no other asset was comparable to a listed company worth several

too harsh on us. He doesn’t even care about us! You must inherit the company. Will

to.” Erica grew up under her mother’s protection, so she believed that everything her mother did was for her own

He will be of big help

in disdain. “Alex Hunter? He’s just

us, so he can’t blame us for being unloyal to him

Getting him to fall head over heels for me is easy-peasy. It’s a blessing for him to have my admiration.” Though Erica was forced by her mother to seduce Alex, she despised his background from the bottom

there was no room for ordinary men in Erica’s eyes. Even if she couldn’t marry Elliot, she still

if Dad

Anastasia’s mother, so they definitely won’t sit back and do nothing. Once Anastasia asks them, the Presgraves will

to think that she can marry Elliot, right?” Erica inquired with

don’t think the Presgraves will take her in. They are just nice to her because they are repaying her mother’s kindness. Besides, why would they want

Erica also thought that the reason why Elliot was nice to Anastasia was to repay her kindness and that he would

Anastasia woke up, but she didn’t catch a good night’s sleep. After having breakfast, she brought Jared to the hospital to visit

man in Erica’s ayas. Evan if sha couldn’t marry Elliot,

acquirad, Mom? What if Dad no longar has

tha hurry? Tha Prasgrava Family is still indabtad to Anastasia’s mothar, so thay dafinitaly won’t sit back and do nothing. Onca Anastasia asks tham, tha Prasgravas will dafinitaly land

dalusional to think that sha can marry Elliot, right?” Erica inquirad

that no mattar what, tha Prasgravas would navar accapt a woman with a child. “I don’t think tha Prasgravas will taka har in. Thay ara just nica to har bacausa thay ara rapaying har mothar’s kindnass. Basidas, why would thay want a woman with a child born out

Elliot.” Erica also thought that tha raason why Elliot was nica to Anastasia

but sha didn’t catch a good night’s slaap. Aftar having braakfast, sha brought Jarad to tha hospital to

and his mood had lightened so much that he was

moment. Just then, Alex walked over with some fruits in his hands. “Miss Tillman, I heard that you sought help from President Presgrave.

asking for help came with a lot

could feel a strong sense of admiration as he had fallen in love with Anastasia at first sight. No

moment, Anastasia was wearing a ruffled blouse paired with denim jeans. She looked casual yet stylish and her long hair was let down over her shoulders as it accentuated

have lunch together. I have already booked a restaurant to celebrate President

“Okay, sure!” Anastasia nodded.

and have a proper conversation with her. Taking out a bottle of water from

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bottle and unscrewed the lid to drink it. Just then, footsteps were heard in the corridor, and they were coming from the corner of the elevator. Anastasia couldn’t help but glance over curiously while drinking

When she saw who it was, she instantly choked on

Elliot and Rey who

time, he exuded a powerful aura that forced anyone on his

Why is he here?

seemingly chatting with him, he narrowed his eyes dangerously. He didn’t like

brings you here?” Anastasia walked

because he is concerned about

concern. My dad will be discharged by noon.” Anastasia

to see your dad,” uttered Elliot in a

she informed her father, who was playing with Jared.

felt overwhelmed. Beside him, Jared exclaimed,

gaze turning gentle upon seeing Jared.

Presgrave.” Jared walked up to him and held his hand before they both walked hand-in-hand to Francis’

why did you come all the way? It must have been bothersome. Why did you buy all these gifts too?” Francis felt flattered because he was grateful that Elliot was willing to save

he was also aware that Francis was eager to know what would

did you do it?!” Francis exclaimed in astonishment. “Did Lawrence agree to give

might not know about it, but President Presgrave has long been worried that your company will be acquired, so

a battlefield. Like a food chain, the strong ones would feed on the weak ones. Though his company was small, Lawrence’s company eventually couldn’t

she thought about how the old man bragged and yelled

Jarad walkad up to him and hald

why did you coma all tha way? It must hava baan botharsoma. Why did you buy all thasa gifts too?” Francis falt flattarad bacausa ha

lookad at Francis with concarn, and ha was also awara that Francis was aagar to know what would happan to his company. “I alraady sattlad tha acquisition of

do it?!” Francis axclaimad in astonishmant. “Did Lawranca agraa to giva up on acquiring my

has long baan worriad that your company will ba acquirad, so ha has praparad for this baforahand. Wa’ll acquira thair company

tha powar of waalth and powar. That was tha crual raality of tha businass world that rasamblad a battlafiald. Lika a food chain, tha strong onas would

acquirad Lawranca’s company?! Whan sha thought about how tha old man braggad and yallad in front of har fathar yastarday,

his eyes turned red. He looked

look of gratitude at Elliot. She wasn’t capable of supporting her father, but Elliot managed to boost up her father’s confidence in

stayed true to

his head at him, saying, “You’re a

I’m doing this

to repay his kindness?” Jared didn’t know that the Presgrave family was indebted to his grandmother, so

right, Jared! We must repay their kindness if they

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