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.

looked beautiful when smiling, but she didn’t know

here before leaving,” Elliot warned in a low

intentions, so she panicked and said, “Elliot,

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

sentence was undoubtedly like a sharp sword stabbing into Hayley’s chest. She underwent surgery to look like the woman he liked, but

but she was

moment. Elliot’s attitude showed her that no matter what she did, he only loved

didn’t allow her to enter the hall even if she had already come all the way to Presgrave Residence. Anastasia would be the protagonist tonight, while she was going to suffer from humiliation all

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

Harriet took her to a

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

blame Elliot, okay? He was depressed and completely lost when he came back that day. He loves you very much, and

was moved to hear Harriet’s words. Hearing others tell her that Elliot loved her seemed to give her a

sorry for believing in Riley’s words and misunderstanding

stepson. All she wanted

tea

the quiet lounge, he immediately softened when he saw the woman sitting on the sofa with his grandmother. There was now a touch of warmth in

was approaching, and a blush

me to go out

naturally, staring at

suddenly laughed, “Can you stop

than me?” Elliot wanted to

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

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

face was

up to

so competitive? Why did he insist on comparing himself to Nigel in terms

definitely more childish than her

fact, you’re the most handsome guy to me.” Anastasia

better on

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

was too difficult to win over Jared and take down the first place, so

him through his clothes. The warmth of his skin felt a little too hot for her to bear, so she immediately struggled to

her waist, and a

me go,”

don’t show me your love, I won’t

had enough of him. How could he just say things like that out of

either you kiss me, or I kiss you. Pick

Wasn’t she going to be

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

second, the two fell

thought Elliot was

achieve my goal,” said

It felt like

sofa, Anastasia was surrounded by his breath, indulging in his gentle and delicate kiss. Elliot had a special ability;

window, Anastasia shoved him hard, causing him to

loud thud, Elliot’s head hit the ground

up. She felt

him just now? How bad did it hurt when his

a layer of carpet, there was indeed

grievances. “Are

unable to get up, she reached out to pull him while apologizing, “Sorry. I thought your Grandma would come in

knew what would happen to him if he angered her after marriage. He would

strength of her pull, Elliot pushed her onto the sofa once again. “I

and kissed him on the cheek.

the lips,” Elliot

rolled her eyes and

me.

officially in a relationship yet,

hugged his neck and planted a kiss on his thin lips.

she smoothed her clothes and went

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

as a guest and had a table full of

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

for treating her like that, but she hated Anastasia even more; Anastasia must have whispered horrible things about her in Elliot’s ears, turning her into a

walked out of the room, but a servant immediately reached

a certain place. When she was here last time,

thought that since the Presgrave Residence housed such a large family, they

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

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 the bathroom

Hayley managed to throw off the servant and emerged from another corridor. Now, all the servants were

feeling rose up in Hayley’s heart. Even if Harriet had no ill intentions toward her, she still hated

Hayley wouldn’t mind Harriet dying. She just

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 studied them briefly before

were sleeping medications and also heart medications with complicated ingredients. If consumed over a long period

out the pills, Hayley

passed by the garden once again, and when she saw the bustling on the other side, she suddenly felt the urge to

reason for her to

well-dressed ladies in front of her, she suddenly put a hand

Just as expected, one of the ladies

and she heard another lady say,

sampling the desserts when she heard a lady rush in, saying, “Come quick! Someone just fainted. Hurry

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

Hayley and asked, a little stunned, “Who

that and send her to the hospital

saw Hayley lying on the floor, she was instantly shocked. She didn’t expect that Hayley would be here

was in Nigel’s arms at the time, suddenly opened her eyes. Nigel immediately put her down. Just then, a

the matter with this

Elliot told us to let Miss Seymour dine in the side

understood right away that Hayley had attended as well, but

official invitation; she had

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

ready to send you back after

inform Old Madam Presgrave first,” Hayley told

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

gathered around her were all examining her in surprise. She could only

that, she pointed at

in disdain. “There’s

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

was so furious that he wanted to cover her mouth. Similarly, Anastasia turned red in the face out of

messing around.” Just then, Elliot walked over

she raised her voice to retort, “Did I say anything wrong?

fists tightly as she shivered in fury. Even up until now, Hayley

twist the truth

the opportunity to tell all the Presgraves’ relatives about

Hayley.” Elliot gave her

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

for they couldn’t believe he did something like that. They

in an instant as she looked

and managed to catch Hayley’s act. 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,

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

for what you did to me that night. I just want to stay by your side

Hayley. I will never take you as my

Seymour, I know 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

said everything she planned to do and say today, and she didn’t want it to spiral

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

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

the crowd. She walked toward a deserted garden,

between Elliot and Hayley that night.

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

chest. She told the housekeeper, “Jodie, fetch my

Old Madam Presgrave. Do

sake! A child of the Presgraves!” Harriet

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

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

Miss Tillman will marry Elliot.” Brenda actually preferred Anastasia too. Anastasia had

as she sat on the swing, and when the wind lifted her hair, it was as if her

light steps and walked up to her. Then, he

“When did you

she sent you a

when Hayley clung onto him and asked him

into the main hall

to see her and upset your

said bitterly. After all, she

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

at him, her heart

with Hayley five years

He couldn’t find any words to express the

then, a servant came rushing along the garden path. “Young Master

Anastasia instantly got to their feet in shock. They exchanged glances

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