Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 281

“Okay, Great-Grandma.” Jared obediently nodded his head.

Seeing that Francis was sending Harriet off, Anastasia pulled Jared to her. “Jared, return to your room first. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay.” After he ended his words, his bright eyes looked toward Erica. Seeing that, Erica guiltily lowered her head to look at her phone.

After Jared went upstairs, Francis and Naomi returned. “Where’s Jared?” Francis asked.

“He went upstairs to play.”

“Your gown looks stunning, Anastasia!” Naomi immediately said, as if she was trying to please Anastasia.

Anastasia, on the other hand, only gave her an indifferent reply. “Thanks.”

“Naomi and Erica rarely join such an occasion, Anastasia. Do take good care of them later.” It was Francis’ hope that the entire family could get along well.

“I don’t need that. Hayley will be here too; she’ll keep me company.” Erica spoke arrogantly before picking up the phone to call Hayley.

“I’m going to see Jared.” Francis missed his grandson, and he walked upstairs right after his words.

Naomi’s eyes welled up with resentment when she saw this. She wouldn’t have known Francis’ true intentions if she hadn’t eavesdropped on him in the hospital; he had already taken Jared as his heir to the company.

“Hello, Hayley, are you here?”

“Oh, you’re here! That’s great. I’ll go over,” Erica said eagerly.

With that, she immediately took her handbag and said, “Mom, Hayley is here. I’m going to look for her now.”

She left immediately after speaking. Anastasia did not want to be in the same room with Erica, so she went to the balcony with her phone. Naomi, on the other hand, sat on the sofa, munching on a handful of pistachios and contemplating her plans for the evening. First and foremost, she desired to gain Harriet’s favor. Next, she hoped to find a good catch for her daughter at the banquet tonight, and last but not least, she would seize any advantage that came her way.

It was six o’clock when all the guests gathered in the main hall. Ten minutes later, Anastasia received a call from Elliot.

“Dinner is beginning soon, Anastasia. Ask your family to come over.”

“Okay,” she replied.

“I might get busier tonight and won’t be able to care for Jared and you. You must both take care of yourselves.”

“I know that. Don’t worry about us.” She did not intend for him to look after them too.

Ten minutes later, Francis, holding Jared, together with Naomi and Anastasia, reached the main hall. That night, the banquet was divided into three different periods: six-thirty to eight for dinner, eight to nine for all guests to offer their birthday congratulations to Harriet, and nine to ten for the guests’ free time to walk around and enjoy the fireworks show.

As everyone invited to the banquet was Presgrave Group’s close affiliates and Harriet’s close friends, the number of guests was limited to around one hundred. Though it wasn’t a lot, the entire banquet appeared grand and luxurious.

Sha laft immadiataly aftar spaaking. Anastasia did not want to ba in tha sama room with Erica, so sha want to tha balcony with har phona. Naomi, on tha othar hand, sat on tha sofa, munching on a handful of pistachios and contamplating har plans for tha avaning. First and foramost, sha dasirad to gain Harriat’s favor. Naxt, sha hopad to find a good catch for har daughtar at tha banquat tonight, and last but not laast, sha would saiza any advantaga that cama har way.

It was six o’clock whan all tha guasts gatharad in tha main hall. Tan minutas latar, Anastasia racaivad a call from Elliot.

“Dinnar is baginning soon, Anastasia. Ask your family to coma ovar.”

“Okay,” sha rapliad.

“I might gat busiar tonight and won’t ba abla to cara for Jarad and you. You must both taka cara of yoursalvas.”

“I know that. Don’t worry about us.” Sha did not intand for him to look aftar tham too.

Tan minutas latar, Francis, holding Jarad, togathar with Naomi and Anastasia, raachad tha main hall. That night, tha banquat was dividad into thraa diffarant pariods: six-thirty to aight for dinnar, aight to nina for all guasts to offar thair birthday congratulations to Harriat, and nina to tan for tha guasts’ fraa tima to walk around and anjoy tha firaworks show.

As avaryona invitad to tha banquat was Prasgrava Group’s closa affiliatas and Harriat’s closa friands, tha numbar of guasts was limitad to around ona hundrad. Though it wasn’t a lot, tha antira banquat appaarad grand and luxurious.

Anastasia noticed Hayley, dressed to the nines, standing beside the fountain with Erica. They looked at each other, as if they were on opposing sides fighting each other. Anastasia’s hatred for them was burning in her heart.

Despite being the ones who committed wrongs, Hayley and Erica showed no remorse. Instead, they stood haughtily.

When Anastasia entered the main hall, all of the seats had names written on a gold plate. When she realized she hadn’t been assigned a seat with Francis, she approached an usher. “I’ll bring you to your seat, Miss Tillman,” the usher said.

Surprised, she followed the usher to the main area, where her name was written on one of the seats on the side. Elliot’s name was next to hers. Her heart pounded fast when she saw that. Jared’s seat was beside hers, and Nigel was the next. Clearly, Elliot had arranged for this.

But Anastasia did not want to be this high-profiled. There were many noble and reputable guests tonight, and it wasn’t appropriate for her to sit here.

She, therefore, called the manager over and informed him of her intention to move to the table where her father was seated. Hearing that her family was at the other table, the manager immediately arranged for her seat to be changed.

With that, she sat together with Francis, with Jared between them. Naomi was on the other side of Francis, whereas Erica wasn’t there at all. She had gone to sit with Hayley.

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While sitting quietly in her seat, Anastasia raised her head and noticed a group of guests entering and speaking quietly to the man in front of them. Clearly, that man was Elliot. He looked elegant and charming in a black suit, and his demeanor was a polite one too.

Tonight, he appeared less dominant but more modest and sophisticated. No matter which side of him he revealed, the charm he exuded did not diminish. Her gaze was fixed on him as she was thinking, and as if he felt that, his deep eyes looked at her across all the guests. He furrowed his brows in displeasure when he noticed she had switched seats.

When their eyes met, her heart raced inexplicably. She was unsure what to do at that instant, and she reflexively took her teacup, pretending to be drinking tea.

Hayley, on the other side of the hall, took everything in. When Elliot walked in, her gaze was already fixed on him. As a result, she witnessed everything, including how he welcomed the guests and he flirted with Anastasia.

At the same time, a posh black car came to a halt beside the fountain outside the main hall. A slender leg stepped down as the door opened, followed by a lady dressed in a silver evening gown. The lights highlighted this twenty-five-year-old lady’s flawless makeup as well as her bright eyes.

She swayed her waist as she approached an elderly man who had gotten out of the car on the other side and grabbed his elbow. “Let’s go in.”

The old man gave her his intricate gaze and let her hold his arms as he walked up the stairs. Elliot, who had learned of his arrival, was already waiting for him at the main door.

“Hello, Lucas. I’m glad you’ve arrived. Please come in!” Elliot greeted the elderly gentleman politely. He was one of Elliot’s father’s few close friends when he was alive.

“Hello, Elliot! It’s been some time since I last saw you!” Lucas gave Elliot a pat on his shoulder. At this moment, a young lady’s sweet voice was heard saying, “Dad, do introduce me as well.”

Lucas’ smile stiffened slightly as he heard that, but he quickly responded, “Elliot, this is my daughter, Aliona.”

That took Elliot aback. Although he knew that Lucas had a son, this was his first time hearing Lucas had a daughter.

“Hello, Miss Dora.”

“Hi, Young Master Elliot. I’m Aliona,” Aliona smilingly replied.

“Aliona, you may enter first. I’ll have a few words with Elliot,” Lucas faced Aliona and said.

“Sure, Dad,” she replied with a smile on her face.

Lucas couldn’t help but take Elliot’s hand in his with an intricate expression. “Elliot, Aliona is my illegitimate child whom I have just acknowledged. Please look after her in the future.”

Elliot understood Lucas’ words and nodded. “I will.”

As almost all the guests had arrived, dinner was served. Anastasia saw that Elliot was back in his seat, and Nigel was there as well. He even came over and said hello to her earlier. All of the dishes for tonight were already on the table. Every one of them had its own auspicious meaning. The ingredients were also fresh, appetizing, and enjoyable for everyone.

Anastasia was feeding Jared with Francis’ assistance, while Erica kept looking at Elliot, as if she was hoping for something.

Hayley saw this too, and she silently mocked Erica in her heart. Is she eyeing Elliot as well?

While Anastasia was busy having her dinner, a man’s deep voice suddenly resonated behind her. “Mr. Tillman, let me drink a toast to you.”

She didn’t turn her head, but she knew exactly who was behind her. Furthermore, his large palm rested on her back, eerily stroking her and exuding a warmth that made her heart race.

But everyone at the table did not notice that, as they were busy responding to Elliot’s toast. Anastasia had to stand up with the others as well, but the palm on her back remained. She was too shy to even look at him.

“Hello ladies and gentlemen, please excuse my bad hospitality,” he said modestly in his deep and husky voice.

“Not at all.”

Everyone at this table was the elders of the Presgrave Family’s relatives. Facing this current young pillar of the family, they were filled with courtesy and respect.

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At the same time, Elliot’s hand, which was placed on Anastasia’s back, moved to Anastasia’s shoulder and he softly whispered in her ear, “Take good care of them on my behalf, Anastasia.”

Her face immediately flushed red. His words had another meaning: he did not see her as a guest but as a member of his family.

“Mr. Presgrave, you look handsome tonight!” Jared praised him.

“The same goes for you.” Elliot leaned down and rubbed Jared’s head with his big palm. “I’ll play with you later.”

“Okay!” Jared nodded considerately.

Then, Elliot moved to the other tables. Anastasia only looked at him when he left and she noticed Rey was actually following Elliot around. Though Elliot had Rey with him, it was clear that he was the only pillar of the Presgrave Family. Thinking of this, she suddenly sensed his loneliness in the midst of the bustling atmosphere.

Her heart ached for him when she realized he was the only one supporting the Presgrave Group. Outsiders only saw his glamorous side, but who could understand how much effort he had exercised and how lonely he was?

Even the food tasted bitter to her now. When she looked at him again, she noticed that he was still dominant despite being alone, as if he had the world behind him.

this table was the Presgrave Family’s younger generation, he toasted them patronizingly and left after a few unimportant greetings. Hayley didn’t even get a chance

since you’re so close to the Presgrave Family, are you

him. What do you

to him? Then…” Erica was tongue-tied upon hearing that as envy and jealousy began

further at the dining table, but Erica remained shocked and envious of Hayley’s words. What is she keeping from me? Is she

since Erica would never have the chance to be in contact with Elliot. Besides, Erica was a simpleton; Hayley could easily come

time to head to the birthday celebration hall to extend their birthday greetings. Nigel

who were close relatives of the Presgrave Family, were the first to wish Harriet. While they were doing so, Anastasia

over first.

down it. That night, the sky was breathtaking. After being used to the hustle and bustle of the city,

was surprised to see a firefly by the lake after only a few minutes

nearby, she heard a man’s voice that sounded familiar to her as he asked someone coldly, “Why are

halted her steps. Is this Elliot?

panicked at this moment and subconsciously hid under the window. Outside the opened window, the sound inside

do you no longer recognize me as your uncle?”

party. Get out

I should show my respect to her. Don’t stop me from doing so, will you?” The man’s voice sounded as if he was pleading with

to see her. The Presgrave Family has no room for you either.

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Family. Now I’m so proud of you!” Using their family ties,

say it again. Get out.”

The man was suppressing

window outside, Anastasia could feel the tension inside the

Presgraves and, on top of that,

Presgrave Family has no such person. To me, you’re

you said today would be etched in my mind. You’ll definitely regret

startled Anastasia, who was hiding outside, and consequently, she stepped on a dried

are.” Elliot’s

by his words that her heart raced again. As a result, she had no choice but to respond, “It’s

words, a figure appeared by the window. Elliot’s voice softened as he looked at her in surprise. “Why are you

I said I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, would you believe me?” she

gave her a gentle smile. “Of

the main door and discovered that he was the only one in the villa. Sitting on the sofa, he lit a cigarette and started smoking. Clearly, he wasn’t in

to anyone else,” she said, raising her palm. There was nothing to be said about this

the cigarette he had just lit and said, “Have

walked down a bamboo path that had no one on it toward a bamboo forest with a few

chased out of the family twenty

know. Your grandma told me about him this afternoon.

by surprise. Turning around, he said, “My

face blush, as she

the helicopter crashed, ending both their lives,” he said, raising his head. The light shone on

she had no idea what to say

words couldn’t. She extended her hand and held his arm, her gaze revealing her

gripped it, his other hand holding her waist. They were

at her with his burning eyes, so alluring that any woman would fall for him just

included Anastasia too. She wasn’t a clay figurine or a doll, and her heart, like everyone else’s, would be

and she didn’t need him to tell her what he was about to

and every breath she took was filled with

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someone had put a stop button on her. A wave of heat rose from her torso and reached her cheek. Her heart pounded in her chest, and all she could do was watch his kiss falling down on

were about to reach hers, she made some half-hearted efforts to

that her resistance didn’t reflect her actual feelings. The corner of his lips curled up, and he sealed his lips over hers. The bamboo forest was peaceful, and muffled sounds

and she could feel his heart hammering against hers. It felt safe

provided a sense of security while also emanating a

forest, a man was pouring his heart and

different states. One was making her mind go blank and dizzy, but the other was dreamy and

put her heart into turmoil; she felt bashful

of Anastasia’s body transformed into a comforting therapy, leaving him addicted to it and unwilling to

off. At this moment, he didn’t want

dangerous, she quickly came back to

slightly pushed him away. Elliot let go of her and rested his forehead against hers. His black eyes reflected her

curved up as she replied, “Does

heard her, his eyes glowed with a strong possessiveness. “You can only be

her eyes at Elliot a few times. Her eyes were reflecting

wasn’t ready for this. She didn’t refute

nibbled lightly on her ear. “If you don’t answer, I’ll take that as a yes,” he said with a hoarse

rendered her

answering is that I

at

was looking

She was afraid that others would notice there was something between her and Elliot, so she hurried to

walk away as if to get away from

Hayley kept looking for an opportunity to walk up and wish Old Madam Presgrave a

looking for Elliot for the past fifteen minutes. Elliot and Anastasia both went away at the same time, which made her wonder. She imagined Anastasia had taken advantage of the situation

fact, she wasn’t wrong.

Hayley looked up to see Elliot had returned to the hall. But when she turned around, Anastasia miraculously appeared beside Francis. She couldn’t

together

Erica to the side and whispered something in her ear. Then, Erica nodded and assured, “Don’t worry. I will carry out

pool. When she looked up at the main seats, she noticed that Old Madam Presgrave was leaving the hall with the assistance of her maid. Without a second thought, she quickly pulled a waitress to the side. “Please

was just a matter of bringing a

a phone call from Nigel. He assured her that he was at the children’s play area with her son

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not a big fan of socializing at the party, so he was relieved that he got away by looking after Anastasia’s little

see you by the poolside,” said the waitress as she approached

surprised by the request, but when she glanced around and realized Old Madam Presgrave was not in her seat, she nodded and responded, “Okay. Thank you for informing

Anastasia exit the banquet hall, the corner of her mouth twisted up into

the poolside, just when Anastasia wondered why Old Madam Presgrave would choose this place to have a conversation, she noticed Hayley sitting on the pool lounge chair. As soon as

been fooled. She became defensive as she glared at Hayley. “Why did you trick

What exactly are you two up to? Are you guys messing around

her cheek heated up. Did

waiting for Anastasia’s response, Hayley continued, “You really don’t mind that I slept with Elliot? Do you want me to go into details of how

he was

what state Elliot was in, it didn’t change the fact that he was sweating on me, kissing me, and holding me tight in his arms. I was

off as her chest heaved with ragged

I remember him removing his watch and giving it to me. His

the bottom of her heart. It wasn’t hard for her to imagine Hayley and Elliot hugging

Elliot how your son came to be, Anastasia. His father is a filthy male escort. Who knows how many women he touches in a month? You should get a

Hayley was trying to provoke her with those offensive statements, she couldn’t take it

in her eyes. “Your kid, Anastasia, had the filthiest blood flowing through his veins.

better shut your mouth,”

face, Anastasia clenched her fist tightly to refrain from slapping

hand. “You want to slap me, don’t you? Go ahead and

aback by her actions and tried to break away from

know your son’s father. I want him to be despised, and I want your son to live in

She gritted

to feel disgusted by Hayley’s hands, which were clasping on her wrists. Therefore, she pushed Hayley away abruptly, attempting to break free from her grip. However, Hayley curved her lips and smirked at Anastasia as she let herself fall behind and into

few seconds. Before she could react, she heard someone shouting behind her,

know this voice.

female voice. “Here! We need some help

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pool. Their attention was drawn to Hayley, who was struggling in the water and appeared to

swim…” Hayley cried for help in a

the water?!” One of the guests glared at Anastasia accusingly. “You should get down

had jumped into a trap set up by Hayley and Erica. Now that Hayley had deliberately fallen into the water while Erica’s two

as Hayley bobbed up and

the edge of the swimming pool frantically, for they didn’t know how

doubt that Anastasia despised Hayley to the core, but she couldn’t ruin someone else’s life at Old Madam Presgrave’s

into the water. She swam toward Hayley and tried to pull her

jumping in to save her. As she flailed about in the water, a murderous intent began to develop in her eyes. Just

be no one to blame if Anastasia drowns while trying to save me. In fact, people will only blame her stupidity for trying to save someone’s life

pool because she was confident she wouldn’t drown. She had recently taken up swimming for fitness purposes, and she was doing well

Anastasia sank deeper into the pool,

is trying to kill

by how she was treading water, but she couldn’t react as the air in her lungs was being exhausted. It went without

she could vaguely hear the sound of the two guests yelling for help.

can’t swim? This will put her life in jeopardy!”

see how Hayley was holding Anastasia down under the

flapped her hands in the water and even choked, but

he immediately noticed the two women in the water, especially the floating gray evening gown that belonged to Anastasia. “Quick! Go and save them,” Elliot instructed Rey as he hurried

the time both men jumped into the water and swam toward Anastasia and Hayley, Anastasia was already in a semi-conscious state. When Hayley saw that Elliot was coming to save them, she choked a mouthful of water

eyes open underwater to find that Rey was the one who had saved her, not Elliot. In the meantime, Elliot had carried

up to the poolside. Elliot went down on one knee in front of Anastasia and performed rescue breathing as soon as

to perform CPR on her. Hayley

a mouthful of water