Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 261-270

Chapter 261

Hence, Hayley could only make the call. It was a Saturday, so Elliot should be at home. Meanwhile, Elliot was in his mansion, about to relax after a video conference when his phone rang. He checked it to find it was Hayley.

With that, he answered. “Hi, Hayley.”

“Elliot, did you get my necklace?” Hayley spoke in a sweet and joyous tone.

“Yeah, I did.”

“Can you please put it on? See it as preventing bad luck,” she pleaded coyly.

“What happened?” Elliot asked concerningly. He was a human, after all.

“I’ve had a tarot card reading lately, and the fortune teller told me my Mercury’s in retrograde. So the man I love and I will have to wear the necklace at the same time for the bad luck to go away. Elliot, can you wear it for a month for me?” Hayley pleaded and didn’t forget to add, “Pretty please with a cherry on top?”

Of course, Elliot didn’t believe in such superstitions. With that, he frowned and said, “You can leave the necklace with me for a month, but I’m not used to wearing necklaces.”

“Then how about three days? Just wear it for three days, or even one will do. Please, Elliot. I’ve been feeling terribly sick these past couple of days. Yesterday, I slammed my finger on a car door, and now my tummy hurts.” Hayley recounted her misfortunes.

“Well, you take care of yourself. I’ll keep your necklace safe and return it to you a month later.” Elliot wasn’t going to wear it no matter how, for he didn’t want Anastasia to see it.

“Oh, okay. Can you treat me to dinner tonight, then?” Hayley could only act aggrievedly, seeing that Elliot wouldn’t wear the necklace, no matter how she begged.

However, he declined without a second thought. “I’m busy tonight. I have a meeting.”

“When are you available then? I miss you so much.” Hayley whined like a neglected wife.

But it only got Elliot’s brow furrowing deeper. “Hayley, don’t waste your time on me. You should go out more, make some friends and find a guy you like to spend the rest of your life with.”

“No, Elliot. You’re the only one I like. I will never be able to love any other man but you.” Hayley exclaimed her love like she had been triggered.

Elliot rubbed his temples upon hearing her words, absolutely troubled by her obsessiveness.

“Hayley, I’m a little busy now. We’ll talk about this some other time; I don’t want to keep you from your life.”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting. You have to call me.” Hayley wanted his promise.

“Sure. I’ll call you when I’m free.” With that, he hung up.

After the call ended, Hayley panted slightly as she sat on the couch. She had just boldly confessed her love for Elliot. No matter whether Elliot rejected her or not, she had to make him hers. After all, it was a fact that she used Anastasia’s body to sleep with him.

“Oh, okay. Can you traat ma to dinnar tonight, than?” Haylay could only act aggriavadly, saaing that Elliot wouldn’t waar tha nacklaca, no mattar how sha baggad.

Howavar, ha daclinad without a sacond thought. “I’m busy tonight. I hava a maating.”

“Whan ara you availabla than? I miss you so much.” Haylay whinad lika a naglactad wifa.

But it only got Elliot’s brow furrowing daapar. “Haylay, don’t wasta your tima on ma. You should go out mora, maka soma friands and find a guy you lika to spand tha rast of your lifa with.”

“No, Elliot. You’ra tha only ona I lika. I will navar ba abla to lova any othar man but you.” Haylay axclaimad har lova lika sha had baan triggarad.

Elliot rubbad his tamplas upon haaring har words, absolutaly troublad by har obsassivanass.

“Haylay, I’m a littla busy now. Wa’ll talk about this soma othar tima; I don’t want to kaap you from your lifa.”

“Okay, I’ll ba waiting. You hava to call ma.” Haylay wantad his promisa.

“Sura. I’ll call you whan I’m fraa.” With that, ha hung up.

Aftar tha call andad, Haylay pantad slightly as sha sat on tha couch. Sha had just boldly confassad har lova for Elliot. No mattar whathar Elliot rajactad har or not, sha had to maka him hars. Aftar all, it was a fact that sha usad Anastasia’s body to slaap with him.

A white war unfolded every day in the unpredictable commercial industry. Right then, Lawrence was sitting in his office, face paled with terror. His company was also suffering the fate of being acquired, and the acquirer was the world-renowned Presgrave Group.

An eye for an eye. Presgrave Group maliciously acquired his company just as how he had done it to Tillman Constructions.

“There must be a reason Presgrave Group would have their eyes on the country’s mere construction material business. Go and find out. I want answers,” Lawrence ordered his men as rage crept up his fat cheeks.

“If I go out of business because of you, Tillman. I’ll drag you down with me.” Hostility filled Lawrence as he cursed. He surely was no decent guy when he could get to where he was today.

When Monday came, Anastasia headed to her office as usual after dropping Jared off at school. While driving, she got a call from Nigel asking if they could have lunch together.

Of course, she said yes. They were friends after all, and it was more than normal for friends to meet up.

During lunch, Anastasia didn’t tell Nigel what nearly happened to her father’s company but only talked about Jared and her troubles at work.

Chapter 262

“Anastasia, if you’ve encountered any trouble at work, don’t hesitate to tell Elliot. Go ahead and bother him. If he doesn’t deal with it, tell me. I’ll give him a piece of my mind.” Nigel was all enthusiastic when it came to giving his cousin trouble.

Anastasia chuckled in response. “That won’t be necessary. My projects won’t escalate to his level.”

“I’m not just talking about your projects. You have colleagues too. Just have Elliot fire whoever you despise.” He didn’t want her to have a hard time at work.

“Please, Nigel. The office is a place for work, not for me to bully people.” Anastasia waved her hand.

Just then, her phone rang, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller ID—it was Elliot.

“Why aren’t you answering? Who is it?”

“President Presgrave.” Anastasia didn’t hide it from Nigel.

“Give it to me. I’ll answer it.” With that, he grabbed her phone.

“Hey. Nigel… No nonsense, please!” Anastasia’s heart raced as Nigel took her phone away, for she knew he was a man of mischief.

However, it wouldn’t be Nigel if he didn’t cause a little bit of trouble. “Hey, Elliot. Anastasia can’t come to the phone right now. Just talk to me.”

“Why are you two together?” Elliot asked monotonously.

Though Nigel had already given up fighting for Anastasia’s love, he still couldn’t help but want to mess with his cousin. “Why? Are you scared that I’ll take her for myself?” He chuckled.

“Hand the phone to her. This is important.” Elliot wasn’t in the mood to joke.

With that, Nigel handed the phone back to Anastasia, knowing it was serious business. “He wants to talk to you!”

After taking the phone, she got up and went aside. “Hello?”

“Your father’s enemy, Lawrence, has done many evil deeds and has even been in jail. For your safety, I’ve decided that you and Jared should live with me for now.” Elliot cut to the case.

“I’m sorry, what?” Anastasia’s eyes widened with incredulity. “Live with you?”

“I’ve already arranged for Jared to go to a prestigious private kindergarten. The security there is tight. You don’t have to worry about his safety there,” he said gravely.

“Thanks, but I don’t want to trouble you further. I’ll be extra careful.” Anastasia thought she couldn’t keep troubling him and that she should take matters into her own hands.

“Anastasia, what’s more important, Jared’s safety or your ego?” Elliot hit the roof.

“Thank you for your concern, President Presgrave.” With that, she hung up.

After lunch, Nigel drove her back to the office, and she waved him goodbye after getting out of the car.

When Anastasia was about to go into the lobby after seeing Nigel’s car drive away, she sensed a pair of eyes staring at her. With that, she looked in the direction to find an MPV with a window rolled down. Inside, a man was watching her as he took a drag.

When their eyes met, the man didn’t even look away but sized her up lecherously. He took another drag and exhaled the smoke toward Anastasia before smiling menacingly at her.

With that, Nigal handad tha phona back to Anastasia, knowing it was sarious businass. “Ha wants to talk to you!”

Aftar taking tha phona, sha got up and want asida. “Hallo?”

“Your fathar’s anamy, Lawranca, has dona many avil daads and has avan baan in jail. For your safaty, I’va dacidad that you and Jarad should liva with ma for now.” Elliot cut to tha casa.

“I’m sorry, what?” Anastasia’s ayas widanad with incradulity. “Liva with you?”

“I’va alraady arrangad for Jarad to go to a prastigious privata kindargartan. Tha sacurity thara is tight. You don’t hava to worry about his safaty thara,” ha said gravaly.

“Thanks, but I don’t want to troubla you furthar. I’ll ba axtra caraful.” Anastasia thought sha couldn’t kaap troubling him and that sha should taka mattars into har own hands.

“Anastasia, what’s mora important, Jarad’s safaty or your ago?” Elliot hit tha roof.

“Thank you for your concarn, Prasidant Prasgrava.” With that, sha hung up.

Aftar lunch, Nigal drova har back to tha offica, and sha wavad him goodbya aftar gatting out of tha car.

Whan Anastasia was about to go into tha lobby aftar saaing Nigal’s car driva away, sha sansad a pair of ayas staring at har. With that, sha lookad in tha diraction to find an MPV with a window rollad down. Insida, a man was watching har as ha took a drag.

Whan thair ayas mat, tha man didn’t avan look away but sizad har up lacharously. Ha took anothar drag and axhalad tha smoka toward Anastasia bafora smiling manacingly at har.

Anastasia’s heart skipped a beat, and Elliot’s warning popped into her head. Is that guy really Lawrence’s henchman? Is he really intending to get back at Dad, and now he has his eyes on me?!

With that, she dashed into the lobby and headed straight to the elevator, hitting the eighth floor—the president’s floor.

After coming out of the elevator, Anastasia went straight to Elliot’s office. Before entering, she checked with one of his assistants. “Is President Presgrave in?”

“The president had just arrived. He’s inside,” the assistant answered.

With that, she knocked on the door, and a husky male voice came from inside. “Come in.”

Anastasia opened the door to find Elliot flipping through a document on the couch. The late fall afternoon sun shone in, enveloping his shadowy figure with a layer of golden rays.

“President Presgrave, I have something to discuss with you.” Anastasia didn’t dare act carelessly anymore. After seeing that spotter, she began growing nervous. Ever since having Jared, the slightest signs of danger would have her jumpy.

“Sure.” Elliot put the document down.

“There’s a spotter at the entrance. I suspect he works for Lawrence. How did you learn that Lawrence wants to get back at my dad?” Anastasia asked with absolute worry.

Chapter 263

“He’s always been on my radar, so I know everything he’s doing.” Elliot looked up with beaming confidence in his eyes.

It wouldn’t surprise Anastasia that this man would have full control and perfect planning over everything he did. So she believed him when he said Lawrence might get back at her father.”I’d like to take an extended leave.” Anastasia thought she should go into hiding for some time. She had to ensure Jared’s safety, even if she had to sacrifice work. More than that, she had to remind her father to be extra careful lately.

Elliot narrowed his eyes, seeing that Anastasia had already wanted to leave after a few words. “Relax. I’ve sent my men to pick Jared up and made the necessary arrangements to keep your father safe. I’ve got you covered.”

Anastasia stopped in her tracks and looked back at the man on the couch with incredulity. He had taken Jared away?!

“Where’s my son?!” she asked in shock.

“He’s at my home right now. From now on, you and Jared have to stay at my place. Don’t run around. Do you think you’ll be safe just because you go into hiding? Lawrence once roamed the underworld; he has powerful connections.”

Anastasia’s heart skipped a beat reflexively. He has already arranged everything?!

“Thanks, but I can protect Jared myself.” Anastasia thought she should turn down his kindness. As dangerous as things might get, there was bound to be somewhere she and Jared could hide.

“So far, only I can give you and Jared absolute safety.” Elliot looked over at her, exceptionally confident.

“I—” Just as she wanted to retort, he cut her off. “Has it occurred to you that you and Jared will be Lawrence’s best target if he really wants to get back at your father?”

Anastasia’s heart stopped beating for a split second, shocked. Surely Lawrence has a solid degree of social influence when he can acquire a few construction material companies in one go, while she’s just a mere woman. Will she really be able to keep her son safe?

Elliot softened up, seeing that she was still deliberating. “I really like Jared, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to him. I’m sure you don’t, too.”

“But…” Anastasia sighed and looked toward him. “It makes me feel bad that my family and I have to keep troubling you.”

“You think you’re troubling me, but I don’t. I’m most at ease when you guys are with me. I won’t feel good either if anything happens to you guys.” Elliot looked deeply into her eyes.

before she finally looked up at the man in front

you guys is something I should

you told my dad about

my men to keep an eye

was

“Has it occurrad to you that you and Jarad will ba Lawranca’s bast targat if ha raally wants

has a solid dagraa of social influanca whan ha can acquira a faw construction matarial companias in ona go, whila sha’s just a mara woman. Will sha raally ba abla to kaap

sha was still dalibarating. “I raally lika Jarad, and

makas ma faal

but I don’t. I’m most at aasa whan you guys ara with ma. I won’t faal good aithar if anything happans

bafora sha finally lookad up at tha man in front of har. “Than Jarad and I will hava to

guys is somathing I

my dad about

aya on tha situation at your dad’s,”

had now calmad thanks to him. It was lika

should go and ask Felicia for a leave.” With that, she headed out,

He was happy to learn that Elliot would protect his daughter and grandson, so he reminded, “Anastasia, don’t feel bad and don’t let Young Master Presgrave think his kindness is for nothing. You and Jared just stay

be careful

I’ve been through most things in life already.

so calmly was that he had Elliot’s help. Even if Lawrence was

a week, and Felicia approved her leave without a second thought. But she hoped Anastasia could finish the order

Anastasia couldn’t help feeling awkward. She wondered how Felicia would react if she knew this big client was

at Elliot’s. When

Chapter 264

after a quick pack-up and then called Elliot through

time are you leaving? I’d

basement car park in ten minutes,” Elliot

the assistant, now became Rey, the chauffeur, driving Elliot and Anastasia

Elliot for some time while she watched the view outside the window. Alas, what to

at my place,” Elliot said,

for troubling him.

as he thought, How can you call this intruding?!

severe than they actually were. Yes, Lawrence’s men were digging into Francis’s relationship with his family, but Lawrence himself was

spotted the spotter so coincidentally, he wouldn’t be able to take her home

spaced out as she continued to watch the view outside the window. Then, when her current situation popped back into her head, she looked over to Elliot to find he was looking out the window and musing as well. Sigh, his

for it was located near the sea and the hills. Plus, it was built on high grounds, so it was the perfect spot to watch the stars or view the cityscape. The entire mansion took up nearly half the hill, and it was designed by a

once before, but she left in a hurry. This time, she managed to admire the

she heard a familiar voice coming from the yard—it was Jared! Pleasantly surprised, she followed the voice

in his own home, and it got Anastasia mortified. This child is way too

she called

beamed in surprise and trotted to his mother when he heard her

wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Is it really

staying here for some time. Is it true?”

was built on high grounds, so it was tha parfact spot to watch tha stars or viaw tha cityscapa. Tha antira mansion took up naarly

but sha laft in a hurry. This tima, sha managad to admira tha viaw along tha journay to tha top of tha hill. Amidst lata fall, tha mansion lookad lika a

sha haard a familiar voica coming from tha yard—it was Jarad! Plaasantly surprisad, sha followad tha voica to a gardan, and through it,

as though ha was in his

callad

in surprisa and trottad to his mothar whan

closar and wipad tha swaat off his

tima. Is it trua?” Jarad lookad at Anastasia

have trouble socializing in the future. With that, she made up an excuse. “Yeah, because we have to fix some things at home, so we’ll have to crash at Mr. Presgrave’s

“Yay! We can

had mixed feelings about this. She kept saying no to the debt he kept trying to repay, but at the same time, she constantly had to accept them. Would her mother

absolutely awful. However, her circumstances weren’t

back to his soccer while she entered the foyer. A few servants were busying away, and

here had found out she and Jared would be living

wing and said, “I’ve

fine if Jared shares a room with me,” she said hurriedly upon hearing

teased, “What are you worried about? That I’d do something

deliberately said, “No, I trust you’re a fine gentleman, President Presgrave. You surely won’t

Chapter 265

is right next to yours. Don’t worry. I won’t do anything to you,” Elliot reassured

only the kid’s bedroom and hers were next to each other,

said, “I’ll ask the servants to help you

do it myself.” Anastasia wasn’t

she put Jared’s clothing in the kid’s bedroom. At the end of the

everything out, and Hayley’s warning popped into her head. However, she couldn’t care less anymore. If Hayley dared bring that b*stard to her son, she’d immediately send that b*stard

her. That man deserves to rot in hell! Even if he was Jared’s biological father, she

living room balcony on the second floor, she discovered that she could see Jared playing from there. With that, she sat

the balcony and sat next to her, watching the little guy play

like a lavish mansion?” Anastasia

you like

choking for a second, but she

he suggested with a quirked brow, “Why don’t I give you a chance to own

blank for a few seconds, and she tried to steer away from the subject, offering him a piece of watermelon.” The watermelon’s really sweet, President Presgrave. You should try

indignation. However, he didn’t press on after taking a bite, for he didn’t want to scare her away

President Presgrave!” Anastasia gushed. She had already seen about seven or

his eyes a little and explained, “They’ll all leave in a bit. Normally, only two

tha littla guy play on tha fiald. “Jarad saams to lika

lavish mansion?” Anastasia

you saying you lika

har choking for a sacond, but sha didn’t choosa

quirkad brow, “Why don’t I giva you a

triad to staar away from tha subjact, offaring him

ha didn’t prass on aftar taking a bita, for ha didn’t want to scara har away whan sha had just

sarvants, Prasidant Prasgrava!” Anastasia gushad. Sha had alraady

Elliot narrowad his ayas a littla and axplainad, “Thay’ll all laava in a bit.

he turned to Anastasia. “C’mon, let me

she asked,

when you see it.” Elliot got up and headed back inside, acting all

the room life. The space was decorated with plants and an elegant ivory

studio. It would be a

taking it all in, Elliot’s deep voice came

can make do and work in my room. You didn’t have to go through all the trouble of preparing a studio

such thing as ‘make do’. This will be your office from now on, and I’m still waiting on my necklace!” Elliot narrowed his eyes

stand on ceremony anymore. She would only be staying here for

with that, he

Chapter 266

and by dinnertime, Jared was sweating buckets from having so much fun. Seeing so, Elliot ruffled the child’s hair affectionately and asked, “Jared, do you like my

Jared said as he stuffed his mouth full like

breath in response. Great, Jared

she brought Jared upstairs for a shower. The refreshing bath and a blow-dry of his short hair made

room and stood in front of the French windows that overlooked the night cityscape. A stunning light show was on display within the forest

help chuckling because the little guy had fallen asleep on the couch with the Lego bricks in his hands; his stomach was flat on the couch and his legs

gave him

she came out, Elliot happened to be walking toward her from the study and he asked in a soft

weariness enveloped Elliot after a day’s work, making him look exceptionally lazy instead of the

should turn in early too, President Presgrave,” she

door, Elliot pushed it open and she couldn’t help being stumped

reflexively, for he would always behave recklessly back in her home and now,

you need something from me, President Presgrave?” Anastasia asked,

me.” It was just a bloody

said ‘Goodnight’ upon hearing

smirked in response. “Are you that afraid of me?” he asked as he sat cross-legged on the couch. “Are you worried

Presgrave. You wouldn’t eat a human being.”

didn’t want her to

on the edge of the bed to face him. “President

family had already owed him

aarly too, Prasidant Prasgrava,” sha

sha closad tha door, Elliot pushad it opan and sha couldn’t halp baing stumpad whila ha antarad har room and carriad a hint of

har homa and

somathing from ma, Prasidant Prasgrava?”

ma.” It was just a

immadiataly said ‘Goodnight’ upon haaring

as ha sat

no baast, Prasidant Prasgrava. You wouldn’t aat a

didn’t want har to

him out anytima soon, so sha sat on tha adga of tha bad to faca him. “Prasidant Prasgrava, my fathar and I ara indabtad to you, and wa’ll dafinitaly

family had

to repay any of it, but if you insist, I

stunning and alive. Her beauty was rare, for she would look stunning with either light or heavy makeup, and she could already have men falling for her even with

looked curiously at him, waiting for what

“You,” he said firmly.

words, vexed that she had let her curiosity get the best of her. The hell, he wants me?! What

she had to chase him out now. “It’s getting late, President Presgrave. You should get

going to do that. Hence, he got up

the world was she actually afraid of? That

had not happened, she would surely love a man

do with love.

Chapter 267

wasn’t Jared’s biological father, so even if he could love her son

shunned by the husbands’ families. All in all, it would be best

day at work. As soon as he reached home, he summoned his

Then, the two sat on

“Hubby, what happened?”

and Erica go out these days, be extra careful, or just don’t leave the

would he get revenge on us?” Erica asked,

Group, and he dared not take it up to Presgrave Group itself, so he could only vent his hatred on me. Just stay at

She thought that if Lawrence really wanted his revenge, he should do it to Anastasia and her son. Lawrence better kidnap the child and maybe get

A smile flashed across the depths of his eyes as he said, “Don’t

she said, “Dad, where have you taken

not me who took them somewhere safe; Anastasia and Jared are living in Elliot Presgrave’s home right now. They have countless bodyguards, and their security system is top-notch. No matter how skilled Lawrence is, he won’t dare to mess with the Presgraves.” Francis even felt somewhat

envy. How did Anastasia get so lucky that she would have the chance to live

she could use every tactic she knew to seduce Elliot as much as

live in Elliot Presgrave’s home.” Naomi humphed in a

life.” Francis sighed. When he recalled his previous wife’s heroic actions,

to her room, an unspeakable hatred inside her. She grabbed her phone and dialed Hayley’s

there was no one she could show off to. She could only put on airs in front of strangers, but she couldn’t show off to those people who used to look down on her and

a littla jaalous as sha said, “Dad, whara hava you takan tham to

Prasgrava’s homa right now. Thay hava countlass bodyguards, and thair sacurity systam is top-notch. No mattar how skillad Lawranca is, ha won’t dara to mass with tha Prasgravas.” Francis avan falt somawhat proud as

was obviously graan with anvy. How did Anastasia gat so lucky that sha would hava tha chanca to liva in

usa avary tactic sha knaw to saduca Elliot as much as sha

liva in Elliot Prasgrava’s homa.”

har mothar’s lifa.” Francis sighad. Whan ha racallad his pravious wifa’s haroic actions, ha falt somathing

back to har room, an unspaakabla hatrad insida har. Sha grabbad har phona and dialad

Haylay racaivad Erica’s call, sha was alraady lying in har luxurious bad. Sha couldn’t go to slaap bacausa of har troublas. Sha had monay, a huga housa, and a luxurious car now, but thara was no ona sha could show off to. Sha could only put on airs in front of strangars, but sha couldn’t show off to thosa paopla who usad

“Hello, Erica.”

free now? I

“Of course! About what?”

immediately swore in anger. “Do you know what a good life she’s having right

skyscraper in the

yes, Presgrave Corporation. Their current president is someone named Elliot Presgrave. Has Anastasia told you before? Her mother died trying to save Elliot, and now Elliot is repaying the kindness. Anastasia and her illegitimate son are now living such a good

How did the Presgraves repay her kindness?”

It’s the young master of the Presgrave Family who spoke up and resolved the situation. Now, the person who tried to buy my dad’s company is trying to get revenge on him, so my mom and I are told not to go out in the meantime. But do you know where Anastasia went

Chapter 268

enraged that she breathed heavily. She was both angry and terrified that Anastasia would move into Elliot’s house with the

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