Never Too Far Novel

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.

when smiling, but she didn’t

may have lunch here before leaving,” Elliot warned in a low voice. He didn’t want Anastasia to know

intentions, so she panicked and said, “Elliot, you can’t

time, Elliot was already at the door. He turned back and shot her a cold gaze, uttering, “From

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

chased after him, but she was stopped by two

attitude showed her that no matter what

even if she had already come all the way

to the sofa, a strong feeling of resentment flashed in Hayley’s eyes. Anastasia

know that Hayley was also there. Harriet took her to a quiet lounge and

gave her mother pressure to save the hostage. In Elliot’s case, however, she sacrificed herself and pounced on him to save him. That was her

Elliot, okay? He was depressed and completely lost when he came back that day. He loves you very much, and he doesn’t want to

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

sorry for believing in Riley’s words and

about her stepson. All she wanted was for

serve Hayley in the tea house and made sure that she left after having

sofa with his grandmother. There was now a touch of warmth in between his brows, and the coldness toward Hayley just now had

who was approaching, and a

seeing them. “Well, it’s time for me to go

sat beside her naturally, staring at

laughed, “Can

say that Nigel’s more handsome than me?” Elliot wanted to settle this

burst out laughing. “What? Are

stretched out and wrapped around her waist, pulling her down with him until they were both lying on the sofa. Anastasia was on top of him,

was reflected in

my face not up to your standards?” Elliot intentionally

so competitive? Why did he insist on comparing himself to

definitely more

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

seemed that the trick worked even better on him.

first, you are second, and Nigel is in third place,” Anastasia answered him in all seriousness. He should

knew that it was too difficult to win over Jared and take down the first

from him through his clothes. The warmth of his skin felt a little too

arms were lazily draped around her waist, and

me go,”

love, I won’t let

sometimes.” Anastasia had enough of him. How could he just say things like

or I

be kissed in the

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

with her, but in the next second, the two fell on the sofa once again.

Anastasia thought Elliot was

up until I achieve my goal,” said

current was running through her body. It felt like she was going crazy.

had a special ability; whenever he looked at

from outside the window, Anastasia shoved him hard,

loud thud, Elliot’s

Anastasia sat up. She felt bad for

him just now? How bad did

there was a layer of carpet, there was indeed a loud thud just

of grievances. “Are

that he was lying on the floor and unable to get up, she reached out to pull him while apologizing, “Sorry. I thought your Grandma would come in and see

happen to him if he angered her after

her pull, Elliot pushed her onto the sofa once again. “I won’t forgive you if you don’t

the initiative now and kissed him on

lips,”

eyes and muttered, “You’re so

eyes at me. That’s rude,” reminded Elliot

in a relationship yet, anyway. You still have a

know what to do with her. Just then, Anastasia hugged his neck and planted a kiss on his thin lips.

smoothed her

the man still looked majestic despite sitting on the carpet, and there was

the end of the corridor, even though Hayley enjoyed the treatment as

looked like they respected her on the outside, but she

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

sneer crept onto her lips. She got up and walked out of the room, but a

go to the bathroom?” Hayley glared coldly at her, then strode toward a certain place. When she was here last time, she

a specialized room on the first floor. She thought that since the Presgrave Residence housed such a large family, they probably wouldn’t

as expected, she didn’t spot any CCTVs around her. When she passed by the garden, she heard laughter coming from the main hall. It filled her

the servant was following her. Annoyance flashed across the depths of her eyes as she instantly walked further into the garden. The servant called after her, “Miss Seymour, please don’t run around. That’s not where

and emerged from another corridor. Now, all the servants were gathered at the main hall to serve the

Hayley’s heart. Even if Harriet had no ill intentions toward her, she still hated that old woman. She hated how Harriet favored Anastasia over her without helping her get together with

She just wanted Anastasia

She opened the door and saw a few freezers inside, in addition to a row of shelves. However, Harriet’s usual medication was placed on a table, and a few medicine bottles were placed separately in a small basket. Hayley poured them out and studied them briefly before putting two

medications and also heart medications with complicated ingredients. If consumed over a long period of time, a person of Harriet’s

swapping out the pills, Hayley immediately

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

it was all the more reason for her

saw two well-dressed ladies in front of her, she suddenly put a hand her forehead and

Are you alright, miss?” Just as expected, one of the ladies rushed

heard another lady say,

desserts when she heard a lady rush in, saying, “Come quick! Someone just fainted. Hurry up and send her to the

had just excused himself to answer a call, and Anastasia was sitting next to Nigel. When

looked at Hayley and asked, a

ignore that and send her to the hospital right

on the floor, she was instantly shocked. She didn’t expect that Hayley would be here as well. Just then, someone

who was in Nigel’s arms at the time, suddenly opened her eyes. Nigel immediately put her down. Just then, a servant hastily walked over. “Miss Seymour, why are you here?

the matter with this Miss Seymour?” Brenda

told us to let Miss Seymour dine

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

come on official invitation; she had come of

at Hayley, then back at Anastasia. He felt as if he had just met

ready to send you back after the meal.” The housekeeper appeared and gestured toward Hayley. “This

Presgrave first,”

me to take you home right away.” The housekeeper didn’t want Hayley to affect the

reluctant, but at that moment, the female guests who gathered around her were all examining her in surprise. She could only say, “Fine, I’ll leave. However, can

that, she pointed

in disdain. “There’s nothing to say between

one who did it. Why did you tell Elliot that I was the one behind it? Since when did I order a host to sleep with you, causing you

wanted to cover her mouth. Similarly, Anastasia turned red in the face out of anger. Hayley was mentioning this incident in front of

then, Elliot walked over to them

to retort, “Did I say anything wrong? Elliot,

in fury. Even up until now,

the truth to this

opportunity to tell all the Presgraves’ relatives about that incident, and she clearly wanted to

gave

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

something like that. They had no idea if

instant as she looked at Hayley.

Seymour, I know that Elliot had mistreated you before, and he also committed some mistakes. However, Elliot has been looking for you for the past five years so he could make it up to you. Now, we’re doing our best to compensate you for the incident five years ago. Ever since we found you, have

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. I want to be

restraint. She looked toward Elliot with a meaningful gaze. “Elliot, I don’t blame you for what you did to me that night. I just want to

Hayley. I will never

Elliot has mistreated you before, but he also compensated you in every way he could. You should know where the line is drawn.” Brenda stepped forward, not wishing for her mother

whose eyes glared 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

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

sunlight, Elliot’s entire body emanated a chill. No matter how loving Hayley’s gaze was, it could

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

incident between Elliot and Hayley that night. It reminded her

relatives and friends also understood the Presgraves’ situation, so they didn’t make any comments on it. The Presgrave Family was

then, Harriet felt some discomfort in her chest. She

Do not heed to Miss

a child for Elliot’s sake! A child of

trouble if Elliot had a child with that girl.” Brenda was aware. After all, someone with a personality like Hayley’s did not deserve to marry into the Presgrave

some water to take the pills with. After Harriet had taken the medicine, she sighed. “No matter what, the right wife for Elliot can

will marry Elliot.” Brenda actually preferred Anastasia too. Anastasia had saved

on the swing, and when the wind lifted her hair, it was as if her hair was also glowing under the sunlight. She looked like a princess

strode over in light steps and walked up to her. Then, he

she asked, “When did you find

she sent you a photo,” Elliot answered

when Hayley clung onto him and asked him for

didn’t you let her into the main hall to eat today?” Anastasia

see her and upset your mood,”

family, though,” Anastasia said bitterly. After all, she was assuming the role of his girlfriend

and looked at her in all earnestness. “Anastasia, I don’t care what other people think

at him, her heart aching for

incident with Hayley five years

nodded. He couldn’t find any words to express the

then, a servant came rushing along the garden path.

in shock. They exchanged glances and