Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 321

Anastasia opened her closet, and next to the neat suits was a row of dresses. She rarely wore dresses, but the handful that she had were definitely capable of stealing the show.

In the end, she had chosen a tight, long-sleeved gray polka dot dress with a form-fitting waistline and a nice ruffled hem that accentuated her exquisite body figure.

Since having her son, she had not been dressed like this for a long time as her daily outfit consisted mostly of T-shirts and jeans.

At around 6.00PM, the entire staff from the Department of Design had arrived and all of them were well-dressed for the party. The ladies, in particular, were vying for the limelight to flaunt their beauty, and Alice was no exception. Although Aliona would be the center of attention at the party, they might also have a chance to be seen by Elliot.

The daily office outfits were no longer their battlefield. On the contrary, tonight was the perfect time to present a different side of themselves.

Aliona was the first to arrive and her appearance was particularly eye-catching. Those familiar with international fashion trends could recognize immediately that the sequined pearl dress she was wearing was the Chanel show’s latest fashion. Aside from that, people had also noticed the branded wristwatch and the necklace she was wearing. It was without a doubt that Aliona was the star of the show.

“Aliona, your watch is stunning. It must be exorbitant.” Someone tried to flatter Aliona.

“Not really,” Aliona replied with a gentle smile as she settled in her seat and the empty seat next to her must be reserved for Elliot.

People who already knew the price, like Alice, wouldn’t have to ask because this wristwatch was a limited edition, with only a few available in the country.

People who already knew the price, like Alice, wouldn’t have to ask because this wristwatch was a limited edition, with only a few available in the country.

It was obvious that Aliona came from a wealthy family background, and her purpose to enter the company was not to compete with her but to secure a rich husband like Elliot.

“What do you guys know? This is a limited edition and it is not available for the general public,” Alice said, intending to earn a good impression in front of Aliona.

Aliona said nothing but smiled as Alice’s flattering had worked on her. Riley had raised her with extravagance , so all of the food that she ate and the clothes that she wore had to be the best.

And to repay her godfather, she was to take down the Presgrave Group by marrying Elliot.

At this moment, Anastasia had arrived at the entrance and people’s attention was drawn to her. When she saw Felicia waving at her, she naturally walked toward Felicia and took a seat next to her.

What a coincidence; Anastasia’s seat was the exact opposite of Aliona’s.

“Hi, Anastasia. You have finally arrived,” Aliona greeted politely.

“I’m late. Sorry about that,” Anastasia apologized to everyone in the room. Under the lights, she lightly stroked her hair that was resting on her chest and that movement emanated an amorous atmosphere that stunned them for a moment.

Even if Anastasia seemed pitiful after being abandoned by Elliot, there was no doubt that she could marry into the purple with her gorgeous face.

Everyone had been used to the way she dressed in the workplace, so they never expected her to be as charming as a dazzling diamond after she was dressed up.

At that moment, Aliona’s heart skipped a beat as Anastasia had given her a great sense of crisis tonight.

The fact that Anastasia was here would most likely undermine Aliona’s presence, which was detrimental to her plan.

“Excuse me. I will be back in a moment,” Anastasia said to Felicia and walked toward the restroom.

Seeing that, Aliona’s expression changed. Then, she got up and headed toward the restroom as well.

Anastasia was slightly startled when she saw Aliona’s figure reflected in the mirror while washing her hands in the restroom.”

Aliona raised her head and brushed her long hair with her fingers to reveal her slender wrist with the branded wristwatch. Then, her red lips parted as she said, “Anastasia, out of goodwill, I think you will be better off leaving the party.”

Right then, Anastasia’s hand washing movement halted. She raised her head to glance at Aliona from the mirror and their eyes were locked on each other.

In that instant, Anastasia could sense the animosity that was coming from Aliona.

“Miss Dora, what do you mean by that?” Anastasia asked as she squinted her eyes.

Aliona crossed her arms and turned to face Anastasia. Her gaze looked intimidating. “Don’t you understand what I said? There will be a lot of affectionate interactions between me and President Presgrave tonight. I’m afraid that you can’t handle it,” she bragged.

Chapter 322

In order to drive Anastasia away, Aliona did not mind revealing her dark side as she was threatened by Anastasia’s beauty.

Anastasia stopped for a split second before discovering that this seemingly sweet and harmless girl had a dark side. “You two may go ahead and show off your affection. It won’t affect me.”

She elegantly caressed her long hair in the mirror and intended to leave.

When Aliona realized that Anastasia refused to leave the party, she reached out with her hand and clasped Anastasia’s wrist. Aliona narrowed her eyes and warned, “Anastasia Tillman. I hope that you can leave so you don’t disturb me and Elliot.”

That in itself was already a threat.

Anastasia blinked her eyes a few times and abruptly broke free from Aliona’s hands. “Don’t worry, I won’t disturb the two of you,” she stated.

“Elliot’s eyes are only on me now. Why do you need to be here and make a fool of yourself? So many people are watching!” The mockery in Aliona’s eyes intensified as she had always felt malice toward Anastasia and now, there was no need to hide them.

The old saying is right. Never judge a book by its cover. I learned my lesson here. “Miss Dora, are you lacking in self-confidence? Are you afraid that I’ll steal Elliot’s heart?” Anastasia smirked. She wanted Aliona to understand that she was not a pushover.

“Since you are so shameless and insist on staying at my welcome party, I can only say that you have thick skin.” Aliona snickered, intending to provoke her.

Anastasia was completely speechless. Shameless? Thick skin? Me?

“The cost of this dinner comes under the Department of Design’s expenses, and as a member of the said department, I am entitled to enjoy this benefit,” Anastasia retorted as she arched her eyebrow. Then, she pushed the door open and left the restroom.

After Anastasia left, Aliona bit her lips in annoyance as she had never thought that Anastasia was nobody’s fool.

After Anastasia returned to her seat, she pretended that nothing had happened.

“I just received a call from President Presgrave. He wants us to proceed with the dinner first,” Felicia whispered to Anastasia.

Hearing that, Anastasia froze for a second. So, he is not going to show up?

Soon after, Aliona had also returned to her seat. Her eyes were locked with Anastasia’s and there seemed to be an invisible war going on in the atmosphere. Since Aliona had exposed her true self, there will be no need for fake politeness toward Anastasia.

Is Elliot aware of Aliona’s hidden side? Anastasia thought to herself. Anyway, it was not something she should be concerned about.

It was up to him to decide what kind of woman he was going to marry.

Right then, the food was served.

“Since President Presgrave has yet to arrive, I will welcome Aliona on behalf of our Department of Design. Cheers to everyone,” Felicia stated as she stood up and held her cup.

Anastasia followed Felicia’s lead and held her cup while she glanced at Aliona, who did not hide her gaze.

The long table that held more than twenty people was full of dishes and desserts as everyone had started to eat.

While everyone was eating, Aliona gave Anastasia a malice gaze and took out her phone to dial Elliot’s number. When the other end answered, she asked in a deliberately affectionate tone, “Why haven’t you come yet, Elliot? We’re all waiting for you!”

Anastasia, who sat across from Aliona, could hear everything she said on the phone. After she heard the phone conversation, she couldn’t help but reach for her wine glass and took two sips depressingly.

“Don’t drink too much.” Felicia leaned over and reminded her in her ear.

Only then did Anastasia realize she had almost finished the whole glass of wine. She looked at Felicia and gratefully nodded.

Ten minutes later, the waiter’s greeting voice had drawn everyone’s attention to the main entrance.

Elliot was late, but no one said anything. Under the lights, they could see that he was dressed neatly in a black shirt with suit pants and he walked elegantly toward their table.

The lights had cast a dark shade on his body, which made him look colder and indifferent.

“Sorry for keeping everyone waiting,” Elliot apologized. Then, he gazed around and found the empty seat next to Aliona, so he walked to the seat directly.

However, when he noticed Anastasia was sitting across the table, his deep eyes flashed for a few seconds of consternation. She is surprisingly attractive and amorous tonight. Did she dress up specially?

A faint smile flickered in Elliot’s eyes as if he could see through her intention to dress up beautifully.

Chapter 323

Anastasia’s long locks were swept to one side as she glared into his ocean eyes. Her own eyes looked as though there were stars in them as they reflected the light on the room.

She also looked like a red rose that had emerged from a bed of snow—despite how thorny she was, she was a beauty that no one could resist.

Elliot’s mood began to fluctuate violently because he could feel how strong her jealousy was.

“You are late, Elliot. Your punishment is to drink a glass.” Aliona immediately brought a glass of red wine in front of him, and she smiled sweetly as she propped her chin in her hands.

“That is right! President Presgrave, you have to show us!” Alice was also fanning the flames.

Without saying a word, he picked up the wine glass and elegantly drank its content in one gulp. The light shone on the buttons of his French cuff shirt as the dark gemstones flashed a deep blue color.

In short, he was elegant, extravagant and fatally charming.

Anastasia’s eyes were half-lidded as she gloomily brought her beer to her mouth. Everyone was watching the man across from her drinking as a punishment, but all she wanted to do was drink by herself.

While remaining in the same pose as earlier, Aliona was looking at him with eyes full of admiration. Elliot, on the other hand, was enjoying the punishment in front of everyone.

The entire scene was an eyesore for Anastasia.

Is my glass extremely small? Why is the glass empty after just a few sips? she thought grumpily. She could only pour herself another glass before bringing it to her lips again. Without Felicia noticing, half of Anastasia’s beer bottle had already been emptied.

“Elliot, have something to eat!” After Aliona finished speaking, she reached over to place some food on his plate.

The man, however, only responded in a low voice, “I will do it myself.”

Aliona could feel her heart jolt upon hearing his cold words. She didn’t dare act casually with him after that. As Elliot took his fork to eat, his gaze shifted to the woman across from him who was moodily downing one drink after another.

Anastasia’s eyes were fixated on one spot, but her drinking never ceased once.

At that sight, Elliot furrowed his eyebrows when he saw it and he reminded her, “Anastasia, don’t drink too much.”

and raised it in his direction before she gulped it at one go again. After she drank it, she clicked her tongue and he could tell from her gaze that

man couldn’t help feeling helpless and angry at her

Presgrave must be having some sort of special relationship!” Alice

kinds of topics

had expected, Aliona elegantly put down her glass and she smilingly boasted, “To tell you the truth, my dad and Elliot’s father have been good friends for years. We are

them had expected her to come from such

friend meant that Elliot and Aliona were definitely from the

had not told Hayley about this. If not, May was sure that Aliona would come for her if she were to

Elliot’s admirers, and that she had not secured the position as Mrs. Presgrave. Seems like Anastasia is out of luck as well even after everything that happened between her and the

eyes only went up a few

meet her gaze, she could feel how Aliona felt, now that Aliona

don’t know from now on. I

indeed fancied this colleague of hers, so she

called out to make Anastasia’s presence known. She wanted everyone to look at Anastasia who looked like an abandoned wife. “What are

of answering Alice. “I am going to

Felicia offered after noticing that 2 beer bottles in front of her had already become

by how she didn’t realize it when Anastasia had

along the corridor. The private room was empty because the place

Anastasia weakly leaned against the door frame for support, Felicia quickly supported

Chapter 324

with a nod of her head. All she wanted now was to

like this, Felicia couldn’t help but feel bad for her. “There is no need for

am fine.” Anastasia forced herself to

else was eating at the table when Anastasia’s phone on the table suddenly rang. Elliot took

were 2 words

calling Anastasia? As he was annoyed to see the

unlock Anastasia’s phone’s facial recognition, he also took the opportunity to save his own face as a

from your Dad that you have a dinner event. Did you

of his eyes. Since when has she

me your address.

he stared at the screen of the phone and he eventually

was sitting beside him, noticed how the man’s handsome face had

no way he would allow another man to take advantage of Anastasia after she had

she needed someone to send her back, Elliot was the only one allowed

wrong, Elliot?” Aliona asked as

he only replied

in the quiet private room where Anastasia started to feel tipsy as the alcohol slowly

gaze and pleaded in barely coherent words, “Can you

I don’t want to stay here

after they exited the private room, Felicia had her wait by the exit

be sending her home. Enjoy

eyes, only to see that the beer bottles in front of her were all empty. Darn it, he quietly cursed. She drank 2 whole bottles without me

was difficult for her to even stand. Felicia had to hold Anastasia

Elliot suddenly stood up by pushing his chair back. He was holding both his car keys

action, and

of the restaurant and near the elevator then. Seeing the diminishing number on top of the elevator, he panicked as the

that. Everyone

all knew who exactly Elliot

the final victor after

who knew that he didn’t have the slightest bit of interest in her despite the

understand why Elliot hadn’t done anything to control the rumors if he still cared about Anastasia. It was at that moment when a thought dawned on her.

face instantly paled when she figured it out—she had been playing herself all

Anastasia across the dimly lit car park. A man’s deep voice soon rang out from behind. “Please bring her to my car,

with his car key in his hand. He then unlocked the doors of his sedan before he opened the

Chapter 325

Felicia caringly reminded, “President Presgrave, please

me,” Elliot replied in a low voice. Then, he opened the door to the driver’s seat and

at him driving off with Anastasia in his car. She

was Felicia’s car. She held her forehead in her hand to suppress the excruciating headache as she said in the direction of the driver’s seat. “Felicia, take me to any

in such a terrible mood and if they did,

driver’s seat, “Is anyone taking care of your

dad is home,” she

moved, she quickly

her phone with his long fingers and sent Francis a message in her

have to worry about her son came shortly after Elliot sent

but she was still capable of thinking and emotions. She started to mumble in her drunken state toward the driver, “Felicia, let me tell you a secret. Elliot is an *sshole! He

scolding him behind his back, but he soon tilted

voice sounded like

how drunk she behaved and he tried probing again, “You are telling

idiot for liking

sputtered again, “I hate him… He can like whoever the hell he wants to. It has nothing

was. The car was only filled with sounds that sounded like ‘b*stard’, ‘trash’ and ‘I don’t

have fallen asleep by

somewhat heartbroken. I must have really hurt

in his backseat

a hotel owned by the Mansons, and as soon as he carried the drunk woman into the hotel lobby in his

to brush away a few strands of hair on her forehead. Then, he pressed a kiss on

her, her glassy eyes shot

dream about Elliot again. Her head had been so occupied with him these 2 days that she thought what she was seeing was yet another dream she had been

in my dreams anymore.” After saying that, she reached out to slap herself on her forehead a few times. It was as though she could

when she suddenly started slapping herself and he quickly pulled her into his chest to stop her

hitting yourself for?” he

beauty was breath-taking as she was weak against his chest. With dishevelled black locks, the corners of her eyes and the fair skin on her face had been tinted with a pinkish hue due to the alcohol. His mind was giving him ideas

all nights, however, was when he couldn’t

woman would probably snap his neck first thing the next morning if he were

Chapter 326

2 inches away from Anastasia before he said in a hushed voice, “I was wrong, Anastasia. Can you please forgive me? I

clench teeth, her red eyes

palms. “I am not lying.” His

in breathing distance from her. Taking in the handsome features on his face, she couldn’t help but acknowledge the reason why so many women

looked at her. His gaze then fell to her slightly quivering pink and pouty lips. They looked like they were

been proud of disappeared in a puff of smoke. He didn’t want to hold back any longer and he started listening to his heart as he slowly leaned in. The woman dazedly blinked at him before a sudden discomfort in her stomach slapped her as

started to painfully hurl her dinner tonight onto

gentle pats on her back to help her throw

upset as he wondered if he was so visually unappetizing that

stop. She lowered her head to vomit on her own chest before turning around to hurl on the bedside floor. She puked so much that there was bile after she had emptied her dinner. After she was done, she weakly lay

the front desk a call to inform

procedure and when the other suite was ready

attendants were blushing as they looked at him. They left the room after they had helped Elliot and Anastasia change rooms, and they couldn’t help but silently

bathroom of the presidential suite before

she was soaking in warm water one second and in a soft bed the next. She was so deep in

sofa and stared at the sleeping woman with predatory eyes. Even though Anastasia was covered with a blanket, she

Aliona—was going to lose sleep tonight. Not only did she fail to seduce Elliot, she was stupid enough to reveal her hidden side to Anastasia. It was

called out to no one and nothing in particular.

man on the sofa opened his eyes instantly and he strutted over to the bed. After hearing what she wanted, he quickly brought a glass of warm water and fed it to her with her

eyes throughout the entire time. After drinking the water, she suddenly leaned into the warmth of his embrace as

Elliot placed the glass down and caressed her long locks before he lowered his head to kiss her on the forehead. He was reluctant to let

for the rest of the night until

brightness in her eyelids, she let out a frown before finally opening her

white bathrobe and she slowly looked

had been electrified in that instant. She quickly pulled her hands away and exclaimed,

thoughts began flying through her head then. Didn’t I come to the hotel with Felicia? Why did

didn’t feel like she had anything else other than the fluffy white

no other choice but to tell a white lie, Elliot answered, “You threw up last night. You

drifting between dream and reality when a strong arm carried her into the wide backseat of his

Chapter 327

if he were to tell Anastasia that he was the one

her chest and questioned him with suspicious eyes, “Why are you in my room?

of taking care of you now,”

heart seemed to come to a stop for a moment. “You…” she stuttered. “Why are you in a

panicked. Did Elliot

casually reminded her then. “You threw up all

remember puking, but she had no recollection of what

had no choice but to believe

voice, she chided him as she turned to look the other way. “I don’t need

the rumor regarding Aliona and me that has been

is no need for that.” Not wanting to spare him the time of her day for him to give his excuses, she flipped open the blanket and

to say, “Would you believe me

tightened at that and she let out a smile. From him giving flowers with a pair of couple’s bracelets to

I don’t care who is involved in the rumors regarding you. I am going home

Elliot stood up and grabbed her by her wrist, and the already lightheaded

with anger as

going anywhere before you hear out,” he commandingly interrupted

tone made her bite her teeth as she gritted,

up Jared with Alex on Wednesday? Have I ever crossed your mind when you were spending time alone and flirting with him? You can’t even be bothered with picking up my call

words. She hadn’t expected him to know that she had gone with Alex to take

he called. She didn’t call him back after

muster a reply. “That was why I purposely gave Aliona a bouquet the next day. I purposely didn’t clear up the rumor. I intentionally went to the restaurant that you were at to let you see us. I purposely called you to my office

started the rumors just because

the whereabouts of the other bracelet. “Did you give out your couple’s bracelet?”

grumpily flicked her on the forehead at that moment. “It is in

giving it to me?” she asked, shocked. Isn’t it

jewelry with me?” His dark eyes were looking down at her

appeared on Elliot’s face. “Why did you drink so much last

I drink because I want to?” After having been found out, Anastasia meekly argued with him as

she was back in his embrace