Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 301

However, this was the exception that Elliot couldn’t have no matter how much he wanted her…

After Anastasia came out of the office, she breathed a sigh of relief. She really didn’t want to accept too much kindness from the man since she feared that she would not be able to repay him enough if she were to give herself up as collateral.

In order not to get to that place, she had to refuse wherever she could.

As expected, the regular meeting held at 3:00PM that day was to introduce the airborne designer, Aliona Dora, to the rest of the company. Despite Felicia making a formal introduction to the other workers, other than the male employees, the female ones were obviously lacking in enthusiasm as they welcomed her into the team. It was to be expected as beautiful women were naturally the enemies of other women. Furthermore, why would they be happy about having one more competitor whose strength they didn’t know?

“Hi, everyone! My name is Aliona Dora. I graduated from a design institute in Flor, and I specialize in jewelry design. I look forward to working together.” She herself did not expect the education she received from young would turn out to be one of her advantages in approaching Elliot.

Alice was visibly more irritated now that there was another person who joined via personal connections when she wasn’t even done dealing with Anastasia.

Anastasia was also feeling the pressure. Bourgeois would soon be holding a grand jewelry show in the early spring of the new year and it was her chance to show her talents. She, too, wanted to have this opportunity to show what she was capable of.

“Alright, let’s talk about the jewelry show in early spring,” Felicia continued. “Since we have become one of the brands under QR, the jewelry show will be set up in the country. We must not miss this opportunity to show what we have in store during the show. The company will also provide utmost support to our designers to participate in the competition.”

She then added calmly, “This is a show worth millions of dollars. It depends solely on your potential to win the race and be the one on top. I wish all of you the best of luck. The deadline will be at the end of this month.”

After the meeting ended, Anastasia was in the middle of clearing the desk when Aliona came to greet her in a surprisingly friendly tone. “Hello, Miss Tillman. We met earlier in President Presgrave’s office.”

“It was my fault for interrupting.” Anastasia smiled lightly.

Aliona pressed her lips together and replied with a smile as well, “No worries. We were done talking by then.”

Anastasia thought that she shouldn’t be too cold to the daughter of Elliot’s father’s friend, so she politely said, “Since we are colleagues now, I look forward to working together with you.”

However, as soon as Anastasia left, Aliona’s eyes immediately darkened. She only came to the company with one purpose in mind: she was going to become Elliot’s woman and marry him. She was fully prepared to sacrifice anything and everything else to achieve the purpose. She was even willing to sacrifice herself to Elliot, give birth to his child, and use the child to legally obtain the right to the inheritance.

Riley had given her 2 years to get everything done. When the time came, Riley would get rid of Elliot and the entirety of the Presgrave Group would fall in the hands of Aliona and her child.

Aliona was a child Riley had adopted from an orphanage. He had spent a lot of money to raise her. Not only did she learn all the advanced etiquette, she also graduated from a prestigious school and she was fluent in 4 languages. At the same time, in order to hide from the Presgrave Family’s investigation, Riley had made her a member of the Dora Family, and had presented her as Lucas’ illegitimate daughter to Elliot.

Lucas was a close friend of Elliot’s father and unfortunately had a weakness that Riley had gotten hold of. He was the puppet Riley was using through Aliona to take over Presgrave Group.

Since she wanted to repay Riley for raising her, Aliona listened to his words as though they were absolute. Her mission in life was to help her adoptive father regain the Presgrave Group.

And Anastasia was, undoubtedly, the biggest obstacle in her completion of the task.

She decided to first become good friends with Anastasia, and after she had gained her trust, Aliona would find an opportunity to let her disappear from Elliot’s side.

Anastasia was sitting in the office since Felicia had asked her to solely focus on the upcoming jewelry show. The company was also putting great importance in the developing haute couture.

Not long after that, Grace pushed the door open from outside and she came in with a cup of coffee in her hand. “Here, Anastasia. This is for you,” she said to Anastasia.

A frown began to appear on Anastasia’s face as she looked at the coffee before she asked, “Who is this from?”

“Didn’t you know? Miss Dora has gotten all of us coffee. The coffee beans are freshly ground!”

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Knowing that this was a common thing for the newbies to do to start off on the right foot with their colleagues, Anastasia gave a small ‘oh’ before she unhesitantly took the coffee and drank it.

“Anastasia, everyone is saying that Miss Dora is the president’s relative. What do you think?” Grace came to her to pick up more gossip.

To her disappointment, Anastasia only shook her head with a laugh. “I am not sure about that.”

Grace could only absent-mindedly blink as she mumbled, “You don’t know as well, huh?”

Anastasia was not a busybody who would spread this kind of gossip. She wouldn’t say a word even if Aliona was the daughter of Elliot’s father’s close friend.

“Stop your tittle-tattle and get back to work!” she urged Grace.

Anastasia’s female instinct was telling her that Aliona had come to Bourgeois for Elliot. Ah, she thought. Elliot has another suitor again.

The man had so many admirers that whoever ended up marrying him would definitely live a married life being constantly worried. Even if he had never approached women, there were a ton that would throw themselves at him.

It was at this moment when the landline in front of her started to ring. She then reached out to pick it up. “Hello?”

“I might not be able to pick up Jared with you this evening. I will go with you tomorrow.” He sounded apologetic as he informed her that in his low voice.

Anastasia immediately knew that Elliot had a prior date tonight and he wouldn’t be able to spend time to accompany her in picking her son up. “Don’t worry about it. I understand that you are a busy man, President Presgrave. You don’t have to worry about picking up Jared from now on,” she said politely.

He teased her again in his magnetic voice. “Are you angry?”

I definitely am not angry, she thought as she responded, “Why would I be? You think too much, President Presgrave.”

The man still added another explanation. “I have a dinner that I can’t say no to tonight.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” As soon as she finished saying that, she hung up the phone and left the office feeling slightly irritated. She went to the pantry to get herself a glass of lemon water, but just as she was about to look for a place to sit, she heard someone entering from the door.

Aliona had a leery old bird of an employee who also happened to be single sticking close to her side. “Miss Dora,” the man pestered. “Are you free tonight? Let’s have dinner together.”

She only turned with a polite smile as she rejected him. “My apologies as I have a date tonight.”

When he heard that, the man tried to speak in a roundabout manner to fish out more information. “Oh, so you have a boyfriend, Miss Dora.”

Her sharp gaze fell on Anastasia at that moment and she only smiled without giving a definite answer. “I am really sorry! I have dinner with someone really important to me.”

Anastasia automatically knew that she was talking about Elliot when she said that it was an important person.

The male colleague somewhat awkwardly laughed as he left and when he did, Aliona poured herself a cup of tea before she sat across Anastasia. “Anastasia,” she called out abruptly, “we have actually met before.”

“Oh? When was it?” Anastasia tried her best to recall but to no avail. It was impossible for her not to have any recollection at all if she had met such a beautiful woman before.

Aliona laughed gently. “It was during Old Madam Presgrave’s birthday banquet. I also know about how you fell into the pool. I was there at the time. You really had me worried when you fell in!”

Anastasia’s face turned pink when she heard that. Aliona had probably seen Elliot giving her CPR those few times if she was present at the banquet.

“I must have looked silly,” Anastasia calmly replied.

“Anastasia, your relationship with President Presgrave must be quite good! I can see that he worries about you,” Aliona probed. Even though she knew the truth behind Anastasia and Elliot’s relationship, she tried her best to pretend like she didn’t.

When Aliona said that, Anastasia immediately denied. “No, no. Our relationship is strictly professional. He is my boss and I am his subordinate. That is all.”

She actually is denying having a personal relationship with Elliot? Aliona’s heart skipped a beat. “Please take care of me since I am new here, Anastasia.”

However, Anastasia unexpectedly comforted her, “Don’t worry, I am sure President Presgrave will take very good care of you.”

Aliona’s thoughts immediately went haywire at that. Does she not feel the least bit jealous? Isn’t she supposed to really like Elliot? Did Father’s resources give us the wrong information?

Instead of continuing beating around the bush, she spoke bluntly, “Anastasia, do you like President Presgrave?”

Pfft! Anastasia choked on her glass of lemon water. After letting out a small cough to clear her throat, she nonchalantly explained, “We are merely a boss and his subordinate. Please don’t misunderstand if you were to hear any rumor about this, Miss Dora. President Presgrave and I are innocent. There is nothing between us.”

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Aliona was slightly caught off guard when Anastasia had denied it without even needing to give it a second thought and she couldn’t help but wonder, Could it be that she really does not like Elliot? Does this mean she won’t get in my way?

“I am sorry that I was being presumptuous,” Aliona hurriedly apologized.

“It is fine.” Anastasia smiled with pursed lips as she picked up her teacup. “I will be heading back to the office then.”

Aliona’s gaze seemed to darken as soon as Anastasia left the pantry. She wondered whether the reason Anastasia denied having a relationship with Elliot was because she was being careful or if she really didn’t like the man.

Anyhow, no one could disrupt her plan. She admitted that Anastasia was a gorgeous woman, but Aliona was confident that she would be able to win over Elliot.

She was going to look her best during dinner tonight with Lucas and Elliot.

Anastasia had just returned to the office when the landline began to ring again.

Picking up the call, she spoke into the phone. “Hello?”

“Come up for a bit,” Elliot’s voice came through the other end of the call.

“It is almost time for me to get off from work.”

“It is about work.”

And of course, Anastasia wouldn’t possibly believe him. “Let’s talk tomorrow.”

“Anastasia Tillman, can you please show your boss a little respect?” he grumpily huffed in reply.

However, she really didn’t want to see him, so she insisted, “President Presgrave, just say what you want on the phone.”

He stubbornly insisted, “We will talk in my office.”

Anastasia already had a feeling that he wasn’t going to talk about work, so naturally, she wouldn’t fall into his trap.

“Forget it then.” She hung up the call after throwing that out.

The look on the big boss’ face in the president’s office immediately fell when the call was dropped. His tall and lean figure swiftly stood up before he started taking big strides out of the office.

Anastasia was editing a few old drafts in her office when she clumsily dropped the documents in her hands. Then, she sucked a deep breath before she squatted down.

At this moment, she heard the sound of someone opening the office door. Thinking that it was Grace, she spoke from under the table. “Grace, help me to pick up these documents.”

The person who had just come in didn’t say anything in return and only reached down to help Anastasia with her request. It was only when Anastasia crawled out from under the desk that she had the surprise of her life.

Instead of Grace, it was Elliot standing there with some documents in his hands. There was a sour expression on his face as he tossed the papers on her desk. “Do you think this kind of sloppy work is acceptable?”

Anastasia knew that she probably deserved the scolding because she hadn’t been in her best condition during work today. Like a dead mouse that felt no cold, she fearlessly challenged him, “Go ahead and cut my salary then!”

“You want a deduction on your meager salary? Do you plan on feeding Jared air?” He let out an annoyed puff.

Her eyebrows wiggled as she let out a bright laugh. “Then, maybe you should give me a raise!”

raise with the kind of attitude you are giving me?” Elliot was already being nice by

realizing that he had come all the way to her office, Anastasia looked at him solemnly

seldom asks me out and he is my senior. I can’t

was hearing. Is this what he meant when he said he has something important to talk to me about? Why

schedule, President Presgrave.” She was staring at him with serious eyes. “You don’t have to go out of your way to

didn’t have to tell her. It was not like she would

tell me things like who you are having a meal with…” She let out an awkward smile as she pressed her lips together into

don’t want you to misunderstand.” His

is there for me to misunderstand? To be honest, President Presgrave, I think you and Miss Dora look like you would suit each other. You can definitely consider her if you are in a hurry to marry

beautiful and capable. She has a good background, and on top of that, she is your father’s best friend’s daughter! You would know her in and out. I honestly think that you can

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Anastasia generously sending him off to another woman. With

stammering, “I am only doing this for your own good!

only woman I want.” He then slowly approached her and

only let out an embarrassed laugh as she told him, “I hope you

still

turned around to leave, he casually threw these words out: “I will come

just about to rebuke when he went out and had closed the

went to sit down in her chair. She was already not in the mood to work in the first place, but her head was not an absolute

and she picked up the call after seeing that it was from Francis.

you have time tonight,

something the matter,

to tell

something happen to the company?” a worried

is a date, then. Alex has booked a table at

something again, but the call had already been hung up at the other end. She knew that her father had the intention to match her and Alex together. But isn’t it more awkward the

he was waiting to pick Jared up at the end of a street. When she saw him,

After Anastasia had safely passed her son to his grandfather, Francis reassured her, “Leave Jared to me.

why don’t we go

with Jared. You both can go now! Let Alex talk to you about the company while

door to the passenger seat and he invited her with a

choice but to accept the arrangement, she said to Francis, “Dad, you can just find a

The older man waved

as she and Alex sat in the quiet car parked at the end of the

Hunter,” she started. “Thank you for

my ability. That is why he lets me handle the company’s businesses.” Alex’s eyes were filled with anticipation and happiness. It seemed to be his and Anastasia’s first

added a few others on top of that afterward. He noted how

pounding in

from confessing his feelings was the difference in their statuses. Still, he couldn’t hide the fiery

you. You can ask me anything about the company if you need help understanding. I will go into detail about it with

company. We don’t have to rush into this.” Alas, she still didn’t have the confidence to handle her father’s

ever since his hospitalization that time. I think he has hopes for you to start preparing to take

words. “Is that

been to the hospital a few times these days. He has been complaining about a discomfort in his chest that makes him

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“It is my fault for neglecting Dad’s health. Mr. Hunter, you have to let me know firsthand if

a hopeful glint in his eyes. “Miss Tillman, please be ready to take over the company

after hearing his words. Taking over and managing her father’s company

continued to stay on her. “I will do my best to assist you,

his every word. There were a lot of things

establishment. She was in a rush to return to her son and father. At this moment, her ringtone started going off. She could feel her

wrong?” she asked

instead threw her an

“I am at—”

Anastasia.” Alex suddenly called out as he wrapped his arm around

from the phone

full attention to her surroundings as she was walking on the road, she quickly answered, “I am hanging up, President

walked alongside Anastasia. In fact, he had intentionally made himself known to Elliot by speaking during the phone call. He wanted

standing in the corridor outside the private dining room of a high-end restaurant. He wore a gloomy expression as he stared at his phone. She must be on a date with a

room and apologized to the father and daughter, “Mr. Dora, Miss Dora, I am afraid I have

going to stay any longer?” Lucas glanced at him

Elliot took the suit

and classy she looked, she noticed that Elliot’s

received from him even with her level of

that he has seen through my cover?” She suddenly turned to look at Lucas. “Don’t tell me that

head and sputtered, “How would I dare to betray him when my son’s life is in

what it was about Lucas that Riley had a hold on. Lucas had a son who murdered someone abroad and the CCTV recording

glass, and with a smile, she said, “I will be needing you to play matchmaker from now on, Mr.

Presgraves. I only want my son to come back to me safely.”

to the Presgraves, but in

and she pressed it to her ear. “Are

Aliona, we

wonder what made Elliot suddenly

home. What she hadn’t

as he loosened his necktie in an annoyed manner and barked at

the gas and he started to worry whether

but Elliot only continued to sit in the car with an unreadable expression on his face. He seemed to be waiting

He even came out of the car

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I will report to you about

said with a smile. “I will have to trouble

you upstairs. I can also bring the president home

she and Alex started walking side by side to the entrance of the street. They looked good together as they walked the street illuminated

end that there was a pair of eyes watching them from a black sedan parked aside

you not getting out of the

So, this is why she was sending me off to another woman so generously, he

Anastasia to inherit the company. Apart from that, Francis had actually intended to have

She would

had felt this kind of mental exhaustion and instead of it being about work, his mental strain was caused by his inability to have the

He

create more chances to get them together. 1 year should be enough before they get married. I can

Anastasia’s abode. As he took in the comfortable environment, he couldn’t help but think how beautiful life

to school tomorrow!” Francis didn’t want to further

that, Anastasia quickly reminded Alex, “Mr. Hunter, please drive Dad home safely. Don’t speed through

Miss Tillman. Please don’t worry

the conversation. “What is this ‘Miss Tillman’ nonsense? Don’t be a stranger, Alex. Just

smiled. “I will start calling you Anastasia

she replied in an

was behind her, had his cheeks puffed out

“It

get angry if he knows! I am sure he doesn’t like it when you eat

can’t tell him, okay? Mr. Presgrave is a busy man. We shouldn’t disturb

Mommy like Uncle Alex or Mr.

like you,” she answered in a singsong manner as she rubbed

sound right this moment. Thinking that her father had left something behind,

Elliot standing there with

as she wondered why he had

Why are you here?” Anastasia asked, in which he mockingly answered, “Alex Hunter

wondered how he knew that Alex had dropped by. Did he bump into Dad and

you are here!” A soft voice called out in surprise. Jared had always welcomed Elliot’s

and with an equally gentle demeanor, he carried Jared in his arms

“I did.”

new school? We can

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really like it!” Jared

after seeing that it was already 9:40PM. I

late, President Presgrave. I need to give Jared a shower and he has to go to school tomorrow. You should

that Elliot wasn’t having the best of mood today, and she knew

he lowered the child back

as she brought Jared to the bathroom. After the boy was all clean, he ran to

her son occupied, she went on to do some house chores until 10:00PM, which was the time

is bedtime,” she

still want to

asleep.” Instead, it was Elliot who spoke up as he carried the boy wearing the cartoon-printed pyjamas into the

by his actions. Why is he

a car outside the building were reporting Elliot’s whereabouts to Aliona. She knew that it was Anastasia’s residential area

him away on purpose? Why is she saying she doesn’t like him on one hand and sabotaging my date

her gaze painfully cold as the questions filled her mind. Anastasia is suicidal, isn’t she? Anyone who gets in the way of Father’s plans shall

Anastasia, who had done most of the chores, sat on the sofa

light. Elliot made a soft hushing voice to tell her to keep her

at this moment she received a text message on her phone. Startled, she took a look at it, only to see that it was

‘Thank you, Mr. Hunter.’

that. You can just

politely replied to him with a short

Alex because she knew she would be relying on him a lot regarding matters of the company

her phone out of her hand. Coincidentally, Alex sent another message over. As Elliot’s icy gaze darted through

I had a good time tonight. Thank you for

What did she do to make him feel

immediately furrowed and she hurriedly said, “Give me my

narrowed his eyes at her and questioned, “What were you doing with

after hearing his question. What else could they have possibly done together, if not having

trust her

seemed to have an underlying meaning

phone.” Anastasia didn’t want

came again. ‘Goodnight, Anastasia. Sweet dreams. I will see you

his thin lips curled up as he asked, “How did you

now

raised the phone above his head and retorted, “come

than to fall for a measly trick that men often used to fool women. “Never mind, then. When

leaving tonight. I am staying overnight here,” he haughtily declared with his arms

and she spat, “I don’t have a bed

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the floor or the couch.” Elliot