Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 421-430

At the same time, Harriet realized that Hayley’s face seemed to have changed. Though she still looked beautiful, it seemed that she had done something to her appearance.

To be frank, Harriet rejected the behavior of pursuing beauty through surgery. Since her body had been given to her by her parents, she should cherish them.

“I’m sorry for coming uninvited to your banquet, Grandma. It’s just that I’ve missed you so much.” The look in Hayley’s eyes didn’t seem sincere at all.

However, Harriet reassured her, “No worries. I forgot to inform you about it. Since it’s usually the same old relatives coming every year, I’m happy that you’ve come too.” After saying that, she instructed one of the maids, “Escort Miss Seymour to the garden for some tea.”

Hayley was overjoyed upon hearing that. Sure enough, Harriet didn’t drive her away, so she happily followed the maid to the garden.

As soon as Hayley left, Harriet let out a sigh of relief. She was aware of Hayley’s intentions, but the Presgrave Family could only accept one daughter-in-law. Therefore, no matter what Hayley did, it would be useless.

“From whom did Miss Seymour hear the news?” One of the female housekeepers on the side questioned in surprise. She was the one who had sent out the invitations, but she didn’t recall sending an invite to Hayley.

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just serve her since she’s already here!” said Harriet with a wave of a hand.

However, the housekeeper blamed herself. After all, she knew what Hayley’s identity was; she was merely a woman whom Young Master Elliot couldn’t get rid of.

“Should I inform Young Master Elliot?”

When Harriet recalled that Elliot would be bringing Anastasia to visit today, she was certain that Anastasia wouldn’t come if she knew that Hayley was here. She couldn’t help but shake her head and replied, “Forget it. Let’s tell them when they arrive!”

One of them was someone Harriet didn’t welcome, while the other was someone Harriet desperately wanted her to be here.

Between Hayley and Anastasia, it was obvious who had the upper hand.

Soon, Harriet’s daughter, son-in-law, as well as Nigel arrived.

Some relatives and friends had also arrived earlier, so the whole yard was packed with luxury cars. All the relatives of the Presgrave Family had gained a firm foothold in the political and business circles with the support of the Presgrave Family. The Presgraves were like a big tree, and there was an intricate network of relationships under the protection of said tree. Even Harriet’s brother was able to soar high in the political circle due to the family’s influence.

While sitting in the tea house in the garden, Hayley couldn’t help but feel a little nervous when she heard the lively atmosphere in the main hall. However, it wasn’t going to make her flinch or retreat. Looking down at the box of drugs in her bag, she smirked cynically.

Anastasia was going to lose her pride today in front of all the relatives of the Presgrave Family.

After picking up the cup of tea, she took a few sips. It tasted pretty bland although she had already taken some medication to revive her taste buds.

The doctors said that the surgery might cause long-term side effects, but for her beauty, Hayley could only endure it.

At that moment, a black Rolls-Royce entered the front yard. The man who came out of the car was Elliot while the woman that came out of the car was Anastasia.

He extended his hand to hold her, but she hid her hand shyly. “Let’s not hold hands.”

His deep gaze locked on her for a few seconds before realizing that she was just shy and didn’t want to show too much affection in front of her relatives.

“Let’s go, then!” Elliot understood her feelings.

As they walked past the front garden and into the hall, they saw three banquet tables in the living hall. All of the guests had arrived.

Once they entered the hall, Elliot started greeting the guests. As the most honorable child of the Presgrave Family, Elliot had been polite and thoughtful since young. Therefore, everyone adored him.

While Anastasia followed him around, she listened to him exchanging customary greetings with his relatives. It was also the first time she had seen him behaving like a well-mannered junior. Usually, he was aloof and unapproachable, making everyone surrender to him!

“Elliot, why don’t you introduce us to this beautiful lady beside you?” one of his aunts urged.

“This is Anastasia Tillman, my girlfriend,” Elliot introduced her naturally.

Anastasia couldn’t help but feel her cheeks heat up when she heard that. She had thought about this question before coming, but she still couldn’t avoid revealing her identity.

“What a beauty! Elliot has a good eye!”

“Of course, he does! Elliot has always been the most good-looking child to us. Naturally, he should go out with a beautiful woman.”

“I don’t agree!” Suddenly, a male voice sounded behind the lady.

Turning around, the lady couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the sight of Nigel. Nigel raised his chin and questioned, “Which part of me doesn’t win over Elliot? I was obviously the best looking when we were young.”

“You’re right. You’re the most handsome!” The lady quickly changed her words, eliciting some laughter among the crowd.

Even Anastasia was amused by their interaction. Based on Nigel’s looks, he was indeed not inferior to Elliot. However, in terms of his stance, Elliot was more domineering than he was.

“Anastasia, you should be the judge. Who is more good-looking between Elliot and me?”

Initially, Anastasia was just a spectator watching them. Now that Nigel had thrown the question at her, she could only cough awkwardly as she replied, “You.”

After saying that, Anastasia sensed a pair of eyes filled with resentment staring at her.

“Anastasia has good taste.” With that, Nigel reached out his hand to Anastasia, suggesting, “Come on, let’s go over there. I have something to tell you.”

However, the moment he finished his sentence, Elliot shot daggers at him. Nigel immediately sensed the deathly stare and realized that he couldn’t treat Anastasia casually anymore. He couldn’t even get involved with her personal affairs now that she belonged to someone else.

“What is it that you cannot talk in front of me?” Elliot glared at Nigel to prove his presence.

Anastasia covered her mouth while chuckling, but Nigel huffed while saying, “You petty man. Can’t I talk to your girlfriend for a little while?”

“No!” rejected Elliot coldly.

“Be the judge, Anastasia. He was the one who interrupted us when I tried to pursue you. I was kind enough to let you go, but look at how he’s treating me now!” Nigel started whining.

Anastasia laughed out loud at his antics. “I’m not meddling in your fight. You should solve it between yourselves.”

“Let’s go and greet Grandma.” Upon landing an arm on her waist, Elliot dragged Anastasia away from Nigel.

Since he was left without a choice, Nigel tagged along because he was bored. Everyone who attended the banquet today was mostly the seniors, and all the juniors didn’t manage to attend.

Currently, Harriet was sitting in the hall chatting away with the other old madams. When she saw Elliot and Anastasia walking up to her, her eyes were instantly filled with tenderness and affection.

“Come here, Anastasia. Take a seat,” she invited gently.

With that, Anastasia took the seat next to her. Harriet looked at her with guilt and apology. “Didn’t you bring Jared with you?”

“Jared went to my father’s place.”

“Oh! I quite like that child. He’s so adorable.” Whenever Harriet thought of the child, she immediately saw young Elliot in him.

Just then, the housekeeper requested to talk to Elliot outside.

“Young Master Elliot, I have something to tell you. Miss Hayley is here.”

Elliot’s face immediately darkened. “Who let her in?”

“Miss Hayley was the earliest to arrive, but I don’t know who informed her,” the housekeeper uttered helplessly.

There was a hint of coolness that flashed in Elliot’s eyes. Who was the one who obtained the information and relayed it to Hayley? There was only one person who knew about it, and that was his personal assistant, Daniel.

It seemed that Hayley even had the means to buy information from people around him.

“Where is she?” Elliot questioned indifferently.

“She’s at the tea house in the garden and hasn’t been invited to the hall yet. Do you want to see her?”

After glancing at Anastasia, who was busy chatting with his grandmother, he walked toward the tea house in the garden.

On this side, Hayley had been waiting to be invited to the main hall. However, it was Elliot who greeted her instead with a long face.

Hayley was in utter shock. Flustered, she almost broke the teacup in her hand. “How did you know I was here, Elliot?”

Ever since he knew that Hayley was the cause of Anastasia’s misery back then, he didn’t have any feelings for her anymore.

“This is my family’s gathering. There’s no reason for you to attend.” Elliot stared at her coldly.

Hayley’s eyes immediately reddened. “Why can’t I come when Anastasia is here? You’re being too biased, Elliot.”

Elliot frowned slightly and retorted somewhat coldly, “To me, you’re incomparable to Anastasia. I have always wanted to make up to you only in the material aspect, and you should know that.”

Hayley sensed that Elliot had changed, and his attitude toward her had become extraordinarily cold. Did Anastasia tell him something?

“Elliot, why are you doing this to me? Did I do something wrong?” Hayley bit her red lips and showed a pitiful look.

“Is it your fault that Anastasia was harassed five years ago?” Elliot interrogated.

Hearing that, Hayley quivered. She shook her head fervently and denied, “It wasn’t me; it wasn’t me, Elliot. It was her stepsister who did it. When I wanted to stop her, it was too late. I regret it so much now, and I deserve Anastasia’s hatred.”

Hayley appeared to be helpless on the surface, but in reality, she hated Anastasia to her bones. Sure enough, Anastasia exposed what happened back then just to win Elliot’s heart.

Staring at Hayley’s face, Elliot could only see how ugly her cry was after she underwent plastic surgery. It made him extremely uncomfortable, and he didn’t believe in a single word she uttered.

smiling, but she didn’t know how hideous she looked

but you may have lunch here before leaving,” Elliot warned in a low voice. He didn’t

understood his intentions, so she panicked and said, “Elliot, you

shot her a cold gaze, uttering,

Hayley’s chest. She underwent surgery to look like the woman he liked, but instead, he told

stood up and chased after him, but she was stopped by two maids. “Please stay here, Miss

moment. Elliot’s attitude showed her that no matter

enter the hall even if she had already come all the way

sofa, a strong feeling of resentment flashed in Hayley’s eyes. Anastasia being alive was

to a quiet lounge and explained the truth about how Elliot had been saved back then

save the hostage. In Elliot’s case, however, she sacrificed herself and pounced on him to save him. That was her duty as a police officer, and she wasn’t forced

may blame me if you’re upset, but don’t blame Elliot, okay? He was depressed and completely lost when he came

her that Elliot loved her seemed to give her a sense of certainty as if he

Riley’s words and misunderstanding

more comments about her stepson. All she wanted was for the younger generation

instructed the housekeeper to serve Hayley in the tea

he saw the woman sitting on the sofa with his grandmother. There was now a touch of warmth in

was approaching, and a blush

seeing them. “Well, it’s time for me to go out and greet the guests

staring at her as if he could never have enough of

suddenly laughed, “Can you

handsome than me?” Elliot wanted to settle this

him like that, Anastasia burst out laughing. “What? Are you

pulling her down with him until they were both lying on the sofa. Anastasia was on

perfectly flawless face was reflected in her

good look. Is my face not up to your standards?” Elliot intentionally described himself

was he so competitive? Why did he insist on comparing

definitely more

guy to me.” Anastasia used the same trick she had coaxed

trick worked even better on him. Elliot curved his

of appearance, my son comes first, you are second, and Nigel is in third place,” Anastasia answered him in all seriousness. He should be satisfied with her answer by

and take down

Anastasia realize that she was still lying in his arms, and she could feel the heat radiating from him through his clothes. The warmth of his skin felt a little too hot for her to bear, so she immediately struggled to

draped around her waist, and a malicious

let me go,” Anastasia complained

me your love, I won’t let go,” said

really unreasonable sometimes.” Anastasia had enough of him. How

kiss me, or I kiss you. Pick

it make a difference? Wasn’t she going to be kissed in the end? What a canny businessman he

I want to go out to eat something delicious.” After

the two fell on the sofa once again. This time, Anastasia was

Anastasia thought Elliot was a

give up until I achieve my goal,” said Elliot before

through her body. It felt like she was going crazy. Elliot really liked to

sofa, Anastasia was surrounded by his breath, indulging in his gentle and delicate kiss. Elliot had a special ability; whenever he looked at Anastasia or kissed her, it was as if his eyes were dripping with honey.

from outside the window, Anastasia shoved him hard, causing

a loud thud, Elliot’s head hit

Elliot, are you alright?” Anastasia sat up. She felt bad for Elliot, who was currently lying on the

just now? How bad did it hurt

carpet, there was indeed a loud thud

grievances. “Are

she reached out to pull him while apologizing,

would happen to him if he angered her after marriage. He would face the

onto the sofa once

took the initiative now and kissed

the lips,”

and

your eyes at me. That’s rude,”

proudly, “We’re not officially in a relationship

didn’t know what to do with her. Just then, Anastasia hugged his neck and planted a kiss on

that, she smoothed her clothes

on the carpet, and there

the corridor, even though Hayley enjoyed the treatment as a guest and had a table full of food laid out before her, she was

joke. The servants looked like they respected her on the outside, but she knew that they were laughing

more; Anastasia must have whispered horrible things about her in Elliot’s ears, turning

She got up and walked out of the room, but a servant immediately reached out and stopped her. “Miss Seymour,

certain

remembered faintly that Harriet’s medicine was kept in a specialized room on the first floor. She thought that since the Presgrave Residence housed such a large family, they

she passed by the garden, she heard laughter coming from

further into the garden. The servant called after her, “Miss Seymour,

off the servant and emerged from another corridor. Now, all the servants were gathered at the main hall to serve the guests, so the huge

her, she still hated that old woman. She hated how Harriet favored Anastasia over her without helping her

She just wanted Anastasia to

shelves. However, Harriet’s usual medication was placed on a table, and a few medicine bottles were placed separately

ingredients. If consumed over a long period of time, a person of Harriet’s age would experience

swapping out the pills, Hayley

the bustling on the other side, she suddenly felt the urge to go over as well. Didn’t Elliot ban her

case, it was all the more reason for her to let Anastasia know

closer to the main hall on purpose. When she saw two well-dressed ladies in front of her, she suddenly put a

miss?” Just as expected, one of the ladies

and she heard another lady say, “I’ll go

she heard a lady rush in, saying, “Come quick! Someone

was sitting next to Nigel. When they heard the shouts, Nigel was the first to get

a

ignore that and send her to the hospital

expect that Hayley would be here

Just then, a servant hastily walked over. “Miss Seymour, why are you here? I’ve

this Miss Seymour?”

Miss Seymour

eyes was directed right at her. Anastasia understood right away that Hayley had attended as well, but Elliot had arranged a separate dining

invitation; she had come of her own

then back at Anastasia. He felt as if he had just met the bootleg version of Anastasia, and

car ready to send you back after the meal.” The

Madam Presgrave first,” Hayley

you home right away.” The housekeeper didn’t want Hayley to

gathered around her were all examining her in surprise. She could only say, “Fine, I’ll leave. However, can I have a word with my friend

she

disdain. “There’s nothing to

one behind it? Since when did I order a host to sleep

Nigel was so furious that he wanted to cover her mouth. Similarly, Anastasia turned red in the face out of anger. Hayley was mentioning this incident in front of all the guests on

then, Elliot walked over to them from somewhere, his

Hayley trembled slightly, but she raised her voice to retort, “Did I say anything wrong? Elliot, I

shivered in fury. Even up until now, Hayley

twist the truth

unimaginably dark. Hayley was taking the opportunity to tell all the Presgraves’ relatives about that

up, Hayley.” Elliot gave her

and she accused in tears, “Elliot, I gave you my first time five years ago to cure you, and you bullied me to no end. I

did something like that. They had no idea if they should blame this most noble

in an instant as she looked at Hayley. She

has been looking for you for the past five years so he could make it up to you. Now, we’re doing our best

for she actually wanted to be Elliot’s wife. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Grandma, I can’t even find a man to marry now.

blame you for what you did to me that night. I just want to stay

will never take you

every way he could. You should know where the line is drawn.” Brenda stepped forward, not wishing for her mother to be troubled and intending

in warning toward her. She had done and said everything she planned to do and say today, and she didn’t want it to spiral into chaos either. She pitifully nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry, Grandma. I shouldn’t have disturbed your banquet.

for someone to take Hayley home. Hayley kept looking back at Elliot as she left, her love and adoration obvious

chill. No matter how loving Hayley’s gaze was, it could not remove the coldness

no one was looking, Anastasia quietly left the crowd. She walked toward a deserted garden, her

was further proof of the incident between Elliot and Hayley that

to rest. The other relatives and friends also understood the Presgraves’ situation, so they didn’t make any

Harriet felt some discomfort in her chest. She told the housekeeper, “Jodie, fetch

down, Old Madam Presgrave. Do not heed to

a child for Elliot’s sake! A child of

don’t think like that. It’d be real trouble if Elliot had a child with that girl.” Brenda was aware. After all, someone with a personality

then, the housekeeper brought the medicine. She also gave Harriet some water to take the pills with. After Harriet had taken the medicine, she

Brenda actually preferred Anastasia too.

sat on the swing, and when the wind

up to

asked, “When did you find out that Hayley miscarried for you

time, when she sent you a photo,” Elliot

clung onto

the main hall to eat today?”

you to see her and upset your mood,” he

shamed you in front of your family, though,” Anastasia said bitterly.

the swing stop, then bent down and looked at her in all earnestness. “Anastasia, I don’t care what other people

at him, her heart aching for

regret that incident with Hayley

find any words to express the regret in his

along the garden path. “Young Master Elliot, come quick. Old

Anastasia instantly got to their feet in shock.

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