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.

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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.

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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.”

raised it in his direction before she gulped it at one go again. After

at her

and President Presgrave must be having some sort of special

kinds of topics Aliona liked talking

Aliona elegantly put down her glass and she smilingly boasted, “To tell you

they heard her words. None of them

father’s good friend meant that

Hayley about this. If not, May was sure

admirers, and that she had not secured the position as Mrs. Presgrave. Seems like Anastasia is out of luck as well even

only went up a few notches when she turned

didn’t directly meet her gaze, she could feel how Aliona felt, now that Aliona had emerged as the

that you don’t know from now on.

of

at Anastasia who looked

of answering Alice.

you,” a worried Felicia offered after noticing that 2 beer bottles in front of her

somewhat baffled by how she didn’t realize it

pushed her way into a private room along the corridor. The private room was empty because the place had been

frame for support, Felicia quickly supported her and asked,

Chapter 324

her head. All she wanted

like this, Felicia couldn’t help but feel bad for her.

am fine.” Anastasia forced herself to

eating at the table when Anastasia’s phone on the table suddenly rang. Elliot took a glance and he stood up to reach

words on

As he was annoyed to see the name, he unhesitantly rejected

message received soon came again. Back when Elliot had managed to unlock Anastasia’s phone’s facial recognition, he also took the opportunity to save his own face as

have a dinner event. Did you

his eyes. Since when has she become so close

came again. ‘Tell me your

the phone

noticed how the man’s

would allow another man to take advantage of Anastasia after

needed someone to send her back, Elliot

Elliot?” Aliona asked as she pretended to

only replied

company in the quiet private room where Anastasia started to feel tipsy

blurry gaze and pleaded in barely coherent words, “Can you

go! I don’t want

didn’t feel like returning to the table after they exited the private room, Felicia had her wait by the exit while she went back to

Felicia went back to the table, she loudly announced, “Anastasia is drunk. I will be sending her home. Enjoy the rest of your evening, everyone.” She then turned to

bottles in front of her were all empty. Darn it, he quietly cursed. She drank 2 whole bottles without

it was difficult for her to even stand. Felicia had to hold Anastasia to make sure she

at the dining table, Elliot suddenly stood up by pushing his chair back. He was holding both his car keys and Anastasia’s phone in his big palms

widened at his sudden action, and she tried to call

the restaurant and near the elevator then. Seeing the diminishing number on top of the elevator, he panicked as the expression overtook his stoicism and he rushed down the staircase beside the

after that. Everyone was casting knowing glances at Aliona, whose face

who exactly Elliot had

might be the

didn’t have the slightest bit of interest in her despite the crazed rumors that had been

she couldn’t 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

it out—she had been playing herself

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

her head to the sound of the voice and she saw Elliot walking toward them with his car key in his hand. He then unlocked the doors of his

Chapter 325

Presgrave, please take care

Then, he

she looked at him driving off with Anastasia in his car. She already knew that he was the reason why Anastasia drank to the point where

excruciating headache as she said in the direction of the driver’s seat. “Felicia, take

see her in such a terrible mood and if they did, she would be grateful to

the driver’s seat, “Is

is home,” she obediently

dizzier as the car moved, she quickly slumped on

to turn green, he grabbed her phone with his long fingers and sent Francis a message in her

worry about her son came shortly

of thinking and emotions. She started to mumble in her

second as he was shocked that she was scolding him behind his back, but he soon tilted his head toward her and asked, “So, do you

voice sounded like she was on the

entertained by how drunk she behaved and he tried probing again, “You are telling me that you hate him even though you are drunk

be an idiot for liking him…” she mumbled

can like whoever the hell he wants to. It has nothing to

where she was. The car was only filled

to have

somewhat heartbroken. I must have really hurt

to another red light stop, he turned to look at the sprawled out figure in his backseat

he carried the drunk woman into the hotel lobby in his arms, the manager of the hotel immediately gave them access to

reached out to brush away a few strands of hair on her forehead. Then, he pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Sleep well. I will explain everything when you wake

her glassy eyes shot open to look

so occupied with him these 2 days that she thought what she was seeing was

that, she reached out to slap herself on her forehead a few times. It was as though she could make him

help but be startled when she suddenly started slapping herself and he quickly pulled her into his chest

are you hitting yourself for?” he

fair skin on her face had been tinted with a pinkish hue due to the alcohol. His mind was giving him ideas as his

when he couldn’t lay his hands

snap his neck first thing the next morning if

Chapter 326

was less than 2 inches away from Anastasia before he said in a hushed voice, “I was wrong, Anastasia. Can you please forgive me? I don’t like Aliona.

she rebutted through clench teeth, her

his palms. “I am not lying.”

the handsome features on his face, she couldn’t help but acknowledge the reason why so many women fell for him. He had

made Elliot’s breath quicken as he looked at her. His gaze then fell to her slightly quivering pink and pouty lips. They looked

reasoning that he had always 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 she

started to painfully hurl her

eyes went wide at that and he quickly gave her gentle pats

help but feel upset as he wondered if he was so visually unappetizing that she started puking after looking

on the bedside floor. She puked so much that there was bile after she had emptied her dinner.

front desk a call to inform them to give him

handle the procedure and when the other suite was ready for them to use, Elliot carried

looked at him. They left the room after they had helped Elliot and Anastasia change rooms, and they couldn’t help but silently exclaim about how handsome and sculpted

cleaned up in the big bathroom of the presidential suite before he brought

that she was soaking in warm water one second and in a soft bed the next. She was so deep in her sleep that she probably didn’t remember covering Elliot with the

on the sofa and stared at the sleeping woman with predatory eyes. Even though Anastasia was

only did she fail to seduce Elliot, she was stupid enough to reveal her hidden

night, Anastasia was so thirsty that she called out to no one and nothing in particular. “Water… I want

hearing what she wanted, he

warmth of his embrace

lowered his head to kiss

rest of the night until the first

the brightness in her eyelids, she

and she slowly looked up. She seemed

she had been electrified in that instant. She quickly pulled her hands away and exclaimed, “Why are you

come to the hotel with Felicia? Why did I wake

her dress and into a bathrobe. She didn’t feel like she had anything else other than the fluffy white piece

had no other choice but to tell a white lie, Elliot answered, “You threw up last night. You were changed out of your clothes by…Director

and reality when a strong arm carried her into

Chapter 327

that he was

immediately covered her arms over her chest and questioned him with suspicious eyes, “Why are

I am in charge of taking care of you now,” he answered

gaze then darted to the bathrobe he had on before her heart seemed to come to a

last night? she panicked. Did Elliot put me in this

casually reminded her then. “You threw

heard that, her cheeks started heating up. She did vaguely remember puking, but she had no recollection of what or

choice but to believe Elliot for

him as she turned to look the other way. “I don’t need you to take care of me. You

explain about the rumor regarding Aliona and me that has been going around these 2 days.” He didn’t want the misunderstanding to continue being

the time of her day for him to give his

her rejection, Elliot continued to say, “Would you believe me if I were to tell you that the rumors

flowers with a pair of couple’s bracelets to Aliona to him walking out of a

who is involved in the rumors regarding you. I am going home now.” Anastasia started

couldn’t possibly let her leave. Elliot stood up and grabbed her by her wrist, and the already lightheaded Anastasia swiftly

was red with anger as she looked at the

about going anywhere before you hear out,” he commandingly interrupted as his arms tightened around

bite her teeth as she gritted, “Do I have the choice to

first, then. Why did you pick up Jared with Alex on Wednesday? Have

heard his words. She hadn’t expected him to

he called. She didn’t call him

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 to see my order on the pair of couple’s

He started the rumors just because of that one time Alex and I picked up Jared together, and

about the whereabouts

moment. “It is in my drawer. Come and get it from

me?” she asked, shocked.

couple’s jewelry with

him an answer yet when a smile suddenly appeared on Elliot’s face.

was drinking because of you?! Can’t I drink because I want to?” After having

though she eventually broke free, she was back in his