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.”

glass full of beer and raised it in his direction before she gulped it at one go again. After she drank

help feeling helpless and angry at her because it seemed like she was

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

were the kinds of topics Aliona liked talking

boasted, “To tell you the truth, my dad and

them had expected her to come from such an

her to be the daughter of Elliot’s father’s good friend

was glad that she had not told Hayley about this. If not, May was sure

many of Elliot’s admirers, and that she had not secured the position as Mrs. Presgrave. Seems like

a few notches when she turned to look at

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

Dora, let me pour you a drink. You can ask me anything about work that you don’t know from now on. I

indeed fancied this colleague of

make Anastasia’s presence known. She wanted everyone to look at

seat instead of answering Alice. “I am

go with you,” a worried Felicia offered after noticing that 2 beer bottles in front of her had already become

she didn’t realize it when Anastasia had drunk so much by

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

how Anastasia weakly leaned against the door frame for support, Felicia quickly supported her and asked, “Are

Chapter 324

her head. All she wanted now was to

her. “There is no need

fine.” Anastasia forced

phone on the table suddenly rang. Elliot

2 words on the

was annoyed to see the name, he unhesitantly rejected

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 a password to her phone. Now that he was able to unlock her phone,

heard from your Dad that you have a dinner event. Did you drink alcohol? Do you want me to come pick you

his eyes. Since when has

message then came again. ‘Tell me your address. I will

stared at the screen of the phone and

noticed how the man’s handsome face had

way he would allow another man to take advantage of Anastasia

if she needed someone to send her back, Elliot was

is wrong, Elliot?” Aliona asked as

only replied casually,

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

raised her blurry gaze and pleaded

go! I don’t want to

by the

she loudly announced, “Anastasia is drunk. I will be sending her home.

that the beer bottles in front of her were all empty. Darn it, he quietly cursed. She

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

pushing his chair back. He was holding both his car

sudden action, and she tried to call out to him,

elevator then. Seeing the diminishing number on top of the elevator, he

atmosphere at the dining table immediately changed after that. Everyone was casting knowing glances

all knew who exactly Elliot had rushed

might be the final victor after

he didn’t have the slightest bit of

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. Is he not doing anything to

figured it

might 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

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

Chapter 325

reminded, “President Presgrave,

low voice. Then, he opened the door to the driver’s seat and got

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

excruciating headache as she said in the direction of the driver’s

her in such a terrible mood and if they did, she would be grateful to just not scare them with this side of

from the driver’s seat, “Is anyone taking care of

home,” she

moved, she quickly slumped on

green, he grabbed her phone with his long fingers and sent Francis a message in her name that she

she didn’t have to worry about her

thinking and emotions. She started to mumble in her drunken state toward the driver,

back, but he soon tilted his head toward her and

hate him.” Her voice sounded like she was on

again, “You are telling me that you

him… I would be an idiot for

can like whoever the

no clue where she was. The car was only filled with sounds that sounded like

have fallen asleep

have really hurt her this time, he

to another red light stop, he turned to look at the sprawled out figure in his backseat before he sighed. “I am

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

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

as he placed the covers on her, her glassy

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

in my dreams anymore.” After saying that, she reached out to slap herself on her forehead a few

herself and he quickly pulled her into

are you hitting yourself for?”

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 as his gaze followed along the tip of her nose to her red

was when he

would probably snap his neck first thing the next morning if he were to touch her without

Chapter 326

inches away from Anastasia before he said in a hushed voice, “I was wrong,

are lying…” she rebutted through clench teeth, her

he held her face between his palms. “I am not lying.” His

acknowledge the reason why so many women fell for

then fell to her slightly quivering pink and pouty lips. They looked like they were quietly inviting him to

longer and he started listening to his heart as he slowly leaned in. The woman dazedly blinked at him before a sudden

started to painfully hurl her dinner tonight onto

went wide at that and he quickly gave her gentle pats on her back to help her throw

if he was so visually unappetizing

woman had no intention to 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 on the bed

gave the front desk a call to inform

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

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 he was. He looked like the

of the presidential

aware that she was soaking in warm water one second and in a soft bed the

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

sleep tonight. Not only did she fail to seduce Elliot, she was stupid enough to reveal her hidden side

of the night, Anastasia was so thirsty that she called

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

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

before he lowered his head to kiss her on the

his arms for the rest of the night until the first ray of sunlight

her eyelids, she let out a

first thing she saw was a white bathrobe and she slowly looked up. She seemed to be

instant. She quickly

through her head then. Didn’t I come to the hotel with Felicia? Why did I wake up with Elliot in

changed out of her dress and into a bathrobe. She didn’t feel like she had anything else other than the fluffy white piece of cloth. “My—my clothes…

choice but to tell a white lie, Elliot answered, “You threw up last night. You

and reality when a strong

Chapter 327

were to tell Anastasia that he was the one who

him with suspicious

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

he had on before her heart seemed to

even here last night? she panicked. Did Elliot put me

reminded her then. “You threw up all over

her cheeks started heating up. She did vaguely remember puking, but she had no

had no choice but to

turned to look the other way. “I don’t need you to take care of me. You can leave

and me that has been going around these 2

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

me if

grip on the front of her bathrobe tightened at that and she let out a smile. From him giving flowers with a pair of couple’s bracelets to Aliona to him walking out of a restaurant with her, how could any of what she had seen with

night, but I don’t care who is involved in the rumors regarding you. I am going home now.” Anastasia started looking for her bag after she

stood up and grabbed her by her wrist, and the

anger as she

think about going anywhere before you hear out,” he commandingly interrupted

made her bite her teeth as she gritted, “Do I have

around the bush. “Answer my question first, then. Why did you pick 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

his words. She hadn’t expected him to know

his call, she had actually placed her phone on silent when he called. She didn’t call him back after that because she didn’t see the need to

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

him rambling on. He started the rumors just because of that one time Alex

full minute, she was suddenly curious about the whereabouts of the other bracelet. “Did

forehead at that moment. “It is in

me?” she asked, shocked. Isn’t

to wear a couple’s jewelry with me?”

yet when a smile suddenly appeared on Elliot’s face. “Why did you drink so much

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

eventually broke free, she was back in his embrace a