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.

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

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

intentions, so she panicked and

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

look like the woman he liked,

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

abyss at this moment. Elliot’s attitude showed her that

her to enter the hall even if she had already come all the way to Presgrave Residence. Anastasia would be the protagonist

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

did not know that Hayley was also there. Harriet took her to a quiet

gave her mother pressure to save the hostage. In Elliot’s case, however, she sacrificed

blame me if you’re upset, but don’t blame Elliot, okay? He was depressed and completely lost when he came back that day. He loves you very much, and

words. Hearing others tell her that Elliot loved her seemed to give

in Riley’s words and misunderstanding you,”

her stepson. All she wanted was for

housekeeper to serve Hayley in the tea house and made sure that

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

who was approaching, and a blush of shyness

it’s time for me to go out and greet the guests now. I’ll

beside her naturally, staring at her as if he could never have enough of the

“Can you stop

than me?” Elliot wanted

burst out laughing. “What? Are

until they were both lying on the sofa. Anastasia was on top of him, staring down at his face that was too

perfectly flawless face was reflected in

up to your standards?” Elliot intentionally

smiled. Why was he so competitive? Why did he insist on comparing himself to Nigel in terms of

more childish than her

me.” Anastasia used the same

seemed that the trick worked even better on him. Elliot curved his thin lips, asking,

appearance, my son comes first, you are second, and Nigel is in third place,” Anastasia answered him in all

win over Jared and take

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

lazily draped around her waist, and

go,” Anastasia

I won’t let go,” said Elliot

of him. How could

you kiss me, or I kiss you. Pick

difference? Wasn’t she going to be kissed in the end?

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

but in the next second, the two fell on the

Elliot was a

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

as if a current was running through her body. It felt like she was going crazy. Elliot really liked to mess

was surrounded by his breath, indulging in his gentle and delicate kiss. Elliot had a special ability; whenever he looked at Anastasia or

from outside the window, Anastasia shoved him hard, causing

Elliot’s

dear! Elliot, are you alright?” Anastasia sat up. She felt bad for Elliot, who was

just now? How bad did it hurt when

of carpet, there was indeed a

full of grievances. “Are you trying to murder

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

he angered her after marriage. He

sofa once again. “I won’t forgive

initiative now and kissed him on the cheek.

lips,”

rolled her eyes and muttered,

eyes at me. That’s rude,” reminded

proudly, “We’re not officially in a relationship yet, anyway.

her. Just then, Anastasia hugged his neck and planted a kiss on his thin lips. “All peachy? I’ll go eat

she smoothed her clothes

looked majestic despite sitting on the carpet, and there was a hint of mischief on

as a guest and had a table full

like a joke. The servants looked like they respected her on the

but she hated Anastasia even more; Anastasia must have whispered

deep breath, the hatred apparent in her eyes as a sneer crept onto her lips. She got up and walked out of the room, but a servant immediately reached out and stopped her. “Miss Seymour, Young Master Elliot insists that

certain place. When she was here last time, she had the opportunity to

medicine was kept in a specialized room on the first floor. She thought that since the Presgrave Residence housed such a

passed by the garden, she heard laughter coming from the main hall. It filled her heart with envy, for Anastasia was probably there as

that 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

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

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

Harriet dying. She just wanted Anastasia

first floor. As expected, she walked briskly over and found that it was unlocked. 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

also heart medications with complicated ingredients. If consumed over

out the pills,

once again, and when she saw the bustling on the other side, she

more reason for her to let Anastasia know

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

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

she heard another lady say, “I’ll go

lady rush in, saying, “Come quick!

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

Hayley and asked, a little stunned,

to the hospital right away,” Nigel’s mother

expect that Hayley would be here as well.

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

told us to let Miss Seymour dine

met Hayley’s, and the hatred in Hayley’s eyes was directed right at her. Anastasia understood right away that Hayley had attended as well, but Elliot had arranged a

on official invitation; she had come of her

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

I’ll get a car ready to send you back after the meal.” The housekeeper appeared and gestured toward Hayley.

inform Old Madam Presgrave

Young Master Elliot has asked me to take you home right away.” The housekeeper didn’t want Hayley

guests who gathered around her were all examining her

that, she pointed at

instantly declined in disdain. “There’s nothing to

did it. Why did you tell Elliot that I was the one behind it? Since

turned red in the face out of anger. Hayley was mentioning this incident in front of all

messing around.” Just then, Elliot walked over

but she raised her voice to retort, “Did I say anything wrong? Elliot, I don’t want

her fists tightly as she shivered in fury. Even up

someone twist the truth to this

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

Hayley.” Elliot gave her a

accused in tears, “Elliot, I gave you my first time five years ago to cure you, and you bullied me

couldn’t believe he did something like that. They had no idea if they should blame

an instant as she looked at

She said to Hayley, “Miss 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.

said, “Grandma, I can’t

with a meaningful gaze. “Elliot, I don’t blame you for what you did to me that night. I just want to stay by your side and be

never take you

could. You should know where

her. She had done and said everything she planned to do and say today, and she didn’t want it to spiral

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

how loving Hayley’s gaze was, it could

toward a deserted garden, her thoughts occupied with the notion that Hayley had undergone abortion for Elliot’s

Hayley that night. It reminded her again of this, and she

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

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

down, Old Madam Presgrave. Do

for Elliot’s sake! A

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 like Hayley’s did not deserve

housekeeper brought the medicine. She also gave Harriet some water to take the pills with. After Harriet had taken the medicine, she sighed. “No matter what, the right wife for

marry Elliot.” Brenda actually preferred Anastasia too. Anastasia

swing in the garden. She was in a daze as she sat on the swing, and when the wind lifted her hair, it was as if her hair was also glowing under the sunlight.

steps and walked up to her. Then, he began

let him continue pushing before she asked, “When did you find out that Hayley

time, when she sent you a photo,”

when Hayley clung onto

the main hall to eat today?” Anastasia

her and upset

said bitterly. After all, she was assuming the role of his

swing stop, then bent down and looked at her in all earnestness. “Anastasia, I don’t care what other people think of you. I only know that in my heart,

at him, her heart aching for

incident with Hayley five years ago?” Anastasia

nodded. He couldn’t find any words to

garden path. “Young Master Elliot,

feet in shock. They exchanged glances and strode