Never Too Far Novel

Early morning the next day, Alex secretly made an appointment with Naomi and Erica. After they had all arrived in the private room of the appointed restaurant, he began to tell them in detail about the plan Hayley had told him last night. Erica was fairly startled as she listened to his words, but Naomi was surprisingly calm as she sat there.

“Alex, do you have the confidence to do this?”

“Of course, the two of you will have to lend a hand in this.” He didn’t want to be the only one who was responsible for it.

Erica, however, was still too timid to do something that would harm her father. She muttered in a small voice, “Mom… Dad—”

Naomi immediately cut her off as she threw a glance at her daughter. “You call him your Dad, but has he ever thought of you as his daughter?”

Alex chimed in too, “Erica, your mother is right. President Tillman only has eyes for Anastasia. The will shall take effect immediately if you don’t act now. It is still not too late to alter the will. You won’t be getting anything otherwise.”

Upon hearing that, Erica was instantly filled with resentment for Francis. She clenched her jaw before she finally said, “Okay. I agree with your plan.”

Naomi and Alex continued chatting into the afternoon before he finally left. They decided to first have Francis killed, then secretly change his will. They would be bribing lawyers along the way and have the company divided into three equal parts, Naomi and Erica would each hold one part of it, whereas Anastasia would have the other one. This would make the mother and daughter own more than 60% of the company’s equity, which meant that they would have absolute right of execution over the company.

Naomi and Erica continued to stay at the restaurant after Alex left. Erica’s hands were shaking ever-so-slightly, as she felt uneasy about the plan.

Naomi suddenly took her daughter’s hand and stared at her calmly. “Erica, are you afraid?”

“Mom, does Dad really…have to die?” There was fear written all over Erica’s face at that point.

Naomi felt that it was time to tell her something, or else her daughter would not be able to carry on with the plan calmly.

“Erica, Mom has something to tell you. You won’t be scared anymore after this,” Naomi reassured her.

“What is it?”

“It is about your birth. Francis is not your biological father. You are the child born to me and another man.” Naomi felt no need to continue hiding her secret.

Erica’s head immediately went blank as she heard the shocking news. “What?! Mom, how can I not be Dad’s daughter? Didn’t Dad have a DNA test when you brought me to the house? Did he not doubt me at all?”

“Of course Francis did. I drew blood from you in front of him to do the DNA test, but I exchanged a container of Anastasia’s blood with yours. That is why Francis has had no doubts for so many years.”

Erica clutched her chest after hearing her mother’s confession. This secret was too shocking even to her.

“Who is my biological father then?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“You don’t have to care about who he is. He’s just a piece of trash who is still rolling in poverty!” Naomi spat contemptuously. “We must do this if we want to live a good life for the rest of our lives.”

As Naomi had expected, Anastasia started feeling a lot better after that. It turned out that the man she had called “Dad” for over 20 years was not her biological father.

“You can’t just call him Dad for so many years for nothing. We must get the share we deserve.” Naomi’s eyes were filled with determination to win.

Erica was also afraid of losing status and wealth during the remainder of her life. She was just like her mother at this very moment—she wanted a share of Francis’ property. Francis might very well chase her out of the Tillmans’ if he were to find out her identity one day.

Instead of letting something like that happen, Erica would rather Alex join hands with her mother and make Francis leave the world unknowingly.

Francis was currently playing card games with a few of his good friends during the festive season. He had no idea that his wife and daughter had come together with his most trusted man in a plot to harm him.

It was finally New Year’s Eve after the people spent weeks anticipating it.

Elliot and Anastasia had already arrived at the Presgrave Residence around 10 AM.

Elliot was naturally not keen on telling the truth behind Jared’s injury when Harriet noticed Jared’s injured leg. He even made up a reason, which didn’t go unnoticed by the older woman’s hawk-like eyes. However, she didn’t press on to know the truth. All that was important to her was that her grandson was safe.

Immediately afterward, she got good news from Jared that Elliot and Anastasia were getting engaged.

The news made Harriet so worked up that her eyes were wet with tears. This truly was something that made her happy. It was also something she had been looking forward to for so many years!

Anastasia was walking toward the study room from outside when she heard Harriet’s voice coming from the opened door of the room.

“Wonderful! This is great, Elliot. You have to treat both Anastasia and Jared well after she becomes your wife.”

Upon hearing that, Anastasia came to a halt before she heard Harriet’s voice rang out again. “Thank God my wish for the Tillmans and the Presgraves to become a family has been fulfilled. I will make sure to give my gratitude to Officer Amelia if I were to die someday.”

Anastasia’s chest seemed to clench at that. She could tell that Harriet was truly grateful to her mother for saving one of the Presgraves.

“Grandma, I promise to treat them well for the rest of my life,” Elliot reassured Harriet. At that, the latter said in an earnest tone, “You must not force Anastasia if she is unwilling to give birth again in the future. You can always train Jared to be your successor.”

“It is all up to her to decide. She can have another child if she wants, but I won’t pressure her into anything if she doesn’t. To me, Jared is my son.”

“Okay. I like him very much as well. He is exactly the same as you were when you were young. This is all God’s will.”Harriet sighed at that.

Anastasia was hit by a myriad of emotions when she heard the conversation. Even she wasn’t sure if she wanted to have a child with Elliot.

In fact, she should give birth to a Presgrave if she loved him.

At that point, Anastasia decided to stop trying to make sense of the mess in her head and heart for now. It only confused her more without solving anything.

Instead of going in and interrupting the chat between the grandparent and her grandson, Anastasia went to the garden, where her son had been having fun by himself. Harriet even spent money to build him an outdoor playground that was equipped with an air conditioner. The young boy continued to play in that cozy space.

This was a very thoughtful gesture on Harriet’s part. Anastasia deeply felt that she and her son were being pampered by the Presgrave Family.

The tide at a faraway beach was starting to come in when evening came and as night fell, the lights of the city seemed to illuminate the whole place as though it was still morning.

The Presgraves had a feast for their dinner. As Elliot sat beside Jared, he made sure to spoon more food onto the young boy’s plate.

Harriet was secretly happy when she saw what was going on. Anastasia, too, quietly saved this scene of Elliot showing his love into her memory.

“Young Master Tillman, I will add some rice to your plate,” one of the servants standing aside respectfully said to Jared.

She even seemed like she was treating him like a precious young master of the Presgraves.

Anastasia’s heart skipped a beat at that, but the little boy proceeded to announce out loud politely, “I can do it myself, Madam.”

His one sentence was enough to show how well he had been educated at home to be so polite. He was a child that everyone, the servants included, would easily fall in love with.

After they were done with the meal, Anastasia brought Jared to the second floor for a video call with Francis. The man was waving a present in his hand as he said to the boy, “Jared, your grandpa prepared a present for you.”

“Thank you Grandpa!”

The man then turned to his daughter. “Anastasia, are you bringing Jared home for lunch tomorrow?”

“Yes,” she briefly replied with a nod. It was normal to pay visits to relatives after Christmas.

She hung up the call after their conversation ended. As she turned around, she was greeted by the sight of Elliot walking toward her. He gave off a homely vibe in his gray sweater and a pair of dark-colored slacks.

He, too, had four presents in his hands. Looking at Jared, he walked over and gave him two of them. “These are for you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Presgrave.” The child was ecstatic as he took the presents from Elliot. He then waved at the adults. “Mommy, I will be going back to my room now!”

Anastasia couldn’t help but lift her gaze at the man. “Oh—you didn’t have to give him two. Just one is more than enough.”

“Those were from Grandma and I respectively,” Elliot replied in a low voice. He swiftly reached out to pass Anastasia the other two. “And these are also from Grandma and I to you.”

“For me?” She blankly blinked at him. She wasn’t even a child who needed a present!

Elliot quickly came up with an excuse to give the presents to her then. “This is our family’s tradition. We always give out presents to guests who come to visit during Christmas.”

And so, Anastasia had no other choice but to take them. The man, however, continued to encourage her to open up her presents. “Open them and have a look.”

She shook it around a few times. The contents were so light it didn’t seem like there would be much in it. She was starting to get curious when she noticed the mirth in his gaze. She finally tore the present wrapping open, only for a piece of black credit card to slide right out.

“This one is from me,” Elliot told her with a smile on his face as he rested his chin on his arm.

Anastasia was slightly startled holding the card in one hand. “You are giving me a card?”

“It is a card that does not have a limit. You can use it as you like.” His sharp eyebrows raised slightly, his eyes full of love for her.

These were probably the words any woman loved hearing the most. Anastasia, too, couldn’t hide the smile on her face as she moved on to the next present. “Is this one from Grandma?” she asked.

“Open it and see.”

Elliot was curious as to what Harriet prepared as well. The elderly woman hadn’t told her a thing, after all.

Anastasia opened the present, and when she poured the contents of the present, a strange card that looked like an access card fell out.

“What is this?” she asked.

Elliot glanced at it before he replied with a smile, “The access card to Cloud Residence No. 1’s top floor loft unit.”

She was startled again after hearing his words. If her memory served her correctly, she had somehow come across the insane price of a unit at Cloud Residence No. 1. She also saw how the price of the big loft had been raised to about 100 million.

And the access card to such a place was in her hand right this moment.

“I-I can’t accept it!” Anastasia wouldn’t reject the black card from her future husband, but Harriet’s present was too expensive for her to accept.

“Why not? Everything the Presgraves have will belong to you in the future.” Elliot then added, “I remember telling you before about a top private kindergarten in the area. The security measures are top-notch, and their education system is also the best internationally. Grandma cares about both your safety and Jared’s education.”

Upon hearing that, Anastasia could feel a gush of warmth in her chest. The loft might be expensive, but what was more valuable and heartwarming to her was Harriet’s kindness and sincerity toward Anastasia and her son.

Hence, Anastasia had no choice but to accept it as well. She then took the black card again and took a look, and her red lips curled into a smile. “I am finally a rich lady,” she cheered.

man instantly corrected her, “You mean you are

bashfully chewed on her red lip. “Not

arms around her as he muttered, “It

were only 15

like a

then to live a quiet life where she would steadily earn money to raise the child. She had only planned to keep her focus on her career and her child. However, she somehow

had

started treating Francis like he was a stranger after she

Her eyes when she looked

when he noticed Erica all dressed up and ready to leave. Out of concern, he asked, “Erica, where are you going

I am

you to go out by yourself.

appointment with a friend,” she muttered with

daughter of ours is getting more and more stubborn!” Francis sighed as he shook his head. When Naomi heard that, she smoothly hugged him around his neck from behind and said, “Don’t bother with her, my dear. She is an adult now. You can’t

glance at his wife briefly before she sat down with him. “Francis,” she started. “Anastasia is

told Naomi, “I am not sure what she doesn’t have. Let me ask her. We will give her anything she doesn’t already

even seemed to her as though

you give her the company as a dowry

froze at her words. “Anastasia is the one

give her the company too if that is what she

doesn’t have

away, she turned to look at Francis for a short second, the murderous intent evident on

enough to do anything then. Francis was the one who forced her to the point of no return. She and her daughter would really

the corner of a cabinet. She then poured the content into

death. What it would do was trigger Francis’ ailment by increasing his blood pressure and causing him

without a weapon. Francis only had himself

have switched out the pills. We will let him take it consistently for a few days, and you can find a

soon after. ‘Got it. Thank

slept that night, and Naomi coldly watched him do

for the night. Her mother had reminded her to not tell Alex regarding her birth, which was

when the time comes,” he reminded her. She was the one among the three of them that he was

know that Erica had already treated Francis like a stranger that had no ties to her at

“Don’t worry. You and Mom can go ahead as planned. I won’t get in

had managed to raise her daughter to be as cruel as

…

young man stood by the French windows of the luxurious hotel suite. He had on a white high-collared sweater, but despite how warm it looked, it did

you found her?” Arthur’s angry eyes glared at his

CCTV recording, but it is difficult for us to know what she really looks like because of how well the heavy makeup she had on

that. He remembered how much of a nightmare the woman was when she hopped into his

insulted him

still couldn’t find her. The heirloom was something that his mother had personally given to him so that he could hand it to his wife, and have it passed down to their

it had been stolen by this darn

stores as we look and wait for the woman. We will be notified immediately if she were to visit any

by the woman. As someone who had mysophobia, he was disgusted by the thought of having someone else lay hands on something that

a lingering scent of the other person

it was something of little importance. This, however, was a family heirloom that had been passed down

ask out loud. Why would you bring a family

is to find something like

only

his teeth. Beneath his curly long eyelashes was a face that looked as though it had been sculpted by the hands of God himself. Now, however, it was showing

let out a sigh. “Fine! I will give you a little more time. Find it before the end of the

bodyguards had no

in the air whether or

steal from. The man who looked like he would never hurt a fly was, in fact, the incarnation of the Devil himself. They could only imagine the kind of terrible fate that awaited the woman if they were to find

multiple times. She wondered whether someone was thinking about

could vaguely see a glowing, colorful round diamond under her

could only wear it from time to time and would eventually search for an opportunity

avoided returning to her home country as she was running away from her marriage. Therefore, she would keep it on

her son back to the Tillman Residence for lunch. Naomi pretended to be polite and warmly welcomed Anastasia. Before Francis’ death, I must not act suspiciously

Christmas present for you.” Francis handed a huge

it instead. “Dad, he is still young, so a few of them for

so I must spoil him.” In fact, he felt

Better spoil them

“I’ve only had a pint of beer earlier. Why does my chest hurt so

drinking, Dad.” Anastasia quickly stood up. “Should we take you to

he had his medicine earlier. Just take a

risen as I have been drinking some alcohol these past few days,”

upstairs for his medicine as she babbled, “I told you to never touch any alcoholic drinks again, but you never listen to

beside Francis as she saw him suffering while clutching his

since it was the festive season. Hence, he waved his hand. “It’s fine. The medicine should be enough for me, and I

handed him a glass of water. “Take it. Have a nap after

pill, he sighed.

take our leave.” Anastasia didn’t want to bother

I’ll visit you next time.” He was getting dizzy and wanted

leave until the woman returned. Naomi was startled when she saw that Anastasia was still downstairs and felt guilty because she had given Francis

have some fruit?” she

she sincerely looked at Naomi. “Mom, Dad is getting weaker. Please take care

I will. He is my husband, the person I will spend the rest of my life with, so I will definitely take good care of him,” Naomi retorted. Despite the guilt, she pronounced

nodded. “Okay. I’ll take my

is so effective. His blood pressure rose dramatically after only one tablet and a pint of beer. Now, all that is left is to let Alex find an excuse to take him

to Elliot’s villa while thinking about her father’s health. She still couldn’t get it out of her mind. I should bring Dad to Elliot’s private hospital for a medical examination so

The sports car that Elliot gave her was still parked in the garage as she hadn’t

relatives during Christmas. Instead,

read a book, occasionally played Lego with Jared, and enjoyed

and was busy as his status attracted

his leg injury. At that point, she suspected he was a robot as he refused to use a crutch and walked around like it

wedding planner was decorating the venue. Although it was just an engagement party,

evening, a slightly tipsy Elliot returned. Benedict also came along with him to examine

have to minimize attending gatherings and not drink any alcohol. Or else, you can kiss your legs goodbye,” Benedict reminded him while

beside them and sided with Benedict. “Did you

them. “Yeah, I heard you.

ordered Elliot to never ever leave the sofa. She would get

result, Elliot took advantage of it. He requested a lot of hugs,

took the chance to pull her into his arms and

she could only let him enjoy the hug. He was only mad at his useless legs, as he could do

details for the engagement party. Elliot let Anastasia choose the party’s theme,

was left was to wait for the day itself to let the Young Master of the Presgrave Family officially announce

in his chest lately. His company resumed work after New Year, and much work was pending. He was a responsible president, so he endured the pain in his chest and never stopped reading the documents, making phone calls,

As Alex worked closely with

President Tillman?

acted tough as he cared for the

I called President Lehmann, and he refused to come over to discuss the cooperation. Therefore, I think we should take the initiative

depart as soon as possible.” Francis

Lehmann as soon as possible, so we won’t have to worry about it for

too, treated

people take that project away. Or else, we will be at a loss

that, Francis felt anxious as the project was necessary for the company’s profit. Hence, he made a swift decision. “Okay, we’ll set

help you,” Alex hurriedly

the end, it was decided that they were going to stay in Haystone for

come in together, Naomi asked in surprise, “Francis, are you going

I will accompany Francis to Haystone, and it will take a few

can’t catch a break; we just had our New Year. Francis, don’t forget

pack some clothes and bring the medicine

clothes and passed it

I will definitely take good care of

rang at that point. He glanced at it and went to his study room to accept

hand as soon as Francis left. “Before

the bottle in his

while, Francis came out, and Alex accompanied him to leave the house. However, the former suddenly felt dizzy as he supported himself with the

what’s the matter?” Naomi hurried over to support

Have you packed the

it’s in the briefcase. Remember to take

the same medicine for months and it was effective. So, he trusted the medicine and never thought it was swapped with other pills. As long as I have the drugs, I will be able

he tried to rest his eyes. Alex asked, “President Tillman,

there to gather some intel.”

his eyes as the plan was going well. He looked at

they could get onto the highway, Francis’ cell phone rang. Alex felt anxious and nervously eavesdropped

Francis answered the call from

like to invite you over to dinner at

Francis replied excitedly and tried to get Alex’s attention. “Alex, hey Alex! Stop and return to my house. I won’t go

on the brakes. Why does Anastasia have to call

the project is

invitation to dinner! Enough talking, go back now!” Francis smiled happily. “We’ll go to Haystone next

back to the city. I have to do it

was taken aback when she saw Francis

at the Presgrave Residence tonight, so he canceled the business trip,” Alex replied

and knew that the plan was not

had already changed into a suit in his room and went downstairs. He told her, “The engagement party is around the corner, so buy me a proper

was reluctant to spend money, she still smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll

take you

take me there; he knows the way. So, you can rest

“Alex, I am going to the shopping mall. Please

“Okay, Mrs. Tillman.”

his doctor said that if the sickness was worsening, he could take one more tablet daily, so he took another pill. However, he was

…

Naomi growled, “Anastasia is so annoying! Why today of

on time, he will have a heart attack soon. There’s no time to take