Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 501-510

Alex parked his car on the side of the road and after he was done with his thumbprint, he drove to the hospital again.

A black SUV rushed into the night like a black panther out of Presgrave Residence. Anxiety was evident in Anastasia’s eyes as she sat on the passenger seat. How can this be happening? Did he really pass out because of the two glasses of wine he had?

“Don’t worry. Let’s go to the hospital and check out his condition first.” Elliot comforted her tenderly. When he heard the news earlier, he drove her out without a second of hesitation.

Over at General Hospital, Francis was placed on a stretcher and quickly taken to the emergency room. Naomi and her daughter followed behind while crying uncontrollably.

Naomi weeped as she begged the doctor, “Doctor, you have to save my husband. You must save him!”

“Ma’am, we’ll do our best.” reassured the doctor as he shut the door of the operating room.

Alex, Naomi and Erica exchanged glances with each other; they were all silently praying for the same thing—a ‘sorry, we have done our best’ from the mouth of the doctor.

About fifteen minutes later, Anastasia and Elliot hurried over from the elevator. She glanced at the operating room where her father was still being treated and looked at Naomi and Erica. “When did Dad faint? Was he still conscious when he was brought here?”

“Anastasia, was your dad drinking at the Presgrave Residence? If you knew that your dad shouldn’t be drinking, why didn’t you stop him?” Naomi snapped at Anastasia as if Anastasia had caused Francis’ to be admitted to the hospital.

Of course, Anastasia knew that her dad had two glasses of wine. Hence, all that was on her mind right now was guilt and regret. I should’ve stopped him…

“If something happens to Dad, know that it’s all your fault!” Erica cried and scolded.

“It is indeed not advisable for President Tillman to drink any alcohol. The doctor suggested that it is best to not even drink a sip,” added Alex.

Anastasia’s figure shook with remorse, but a strong arm behind her supported her firmly while reassuring her, “Don’t worry. Let’s see how things go.”

In the operation room, an emergency rescue was being carried out; the doctor put in all his effort to revive Francis. Though the doctor had shaken his head several times, he still tried every means possible to carry out a second rescue.

Fortunately, when they used the defibrillator for the second time, the still line on the machine had started showing weak signs of a heartbeat.

“Heartbeat’s back. The patient’s will to survive is strong.”

This time, Francis’ condition was considered a severe heart failure. If he had been a minute late, he might have not been able to survive. However, due to the prolonged cardiac arrest, the oxygen supply to his brain was insufficient, so he was now in a severe coma.

Even after a successful resuscitation, there might be a risk of him being in a vegetative state.

Two hours later, the exhausted doctors came out with layers of cold sweat on their foreheads.

“What happened to my dad? Is he still alive?” Erica was the first to ask.

“Did you save my husband? Is he still alive? Tell me!” Naomi acted like a desperate wife.

Anastasia also clenched her fists tightly and stared at the doctors.

“Since the patient has missed the golden hour, we’ve done our best. So far, the operation was successful, but due to the prolonged cardiac arrest, the patient’s brain was severely deficient in oxygen supply and that has caused a certain amount of brain damage. Please prepare yourselves mentally as the patient is likely to be in a long coma or at the risk of a vegetative state.”

“What?” Naomi’s entire body went limp, so Alex reached out to help her. When she raised her gaze to meet Alex’s, both of them expressed joy in the depths of their eyes.

Erica covered her mouth and looked distraught, but there was a flash of delight in her eyes.

Even if Francis was not dead, he would never wake up. This is exactly what they would want.

Anastasia was the only one who seemed to be drained of strength. Pain shrouded her face as she let tears roll down her cheeks.

Standing behind her was a heartbroken Elliot as he felt sorry for Anastasia. As a daughter, this is the last thing she’d ever want to hear.

“Francis! Francis…” Naomi began to cry and sat on the ground bawling while Erica hugged her as they cried together.

Not to forget the remaining ‘actor’ Alex, who also looked solemn. He glanced at Anastasia whose face had paled under the lights. Elliot, on the other hand, had been supporting her from the back and assisted her to the bench.

Now, how could Naomi miss such an opportunity? She rushed over suddenly and she slapped Anastasia before Elliot could even react. A burning sensation grew on Anastasia’s face, but the very next second, a sturdy arm blocked her as Elliot questioned in a deep voice, “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“It’s you… You’re the one who did this to your dad! Why did you let him drink?! He had been fine taking his medications regularly! It’s all because of you! You Presgraves are guilty of killing my husband!” Naomi seized this opportunity to curse them hard.

This time, she even scolded the Presgrave Family.

“Exactly! If my dad ends up in a vegetative state, you’ll be overjoyed, won’t you?!” Erica chimed in.

Anastasia’s ears went deaf for a few seconds as finger marks slowly appeared on her pale face.

Elliot could not bear to see her in such a state anymore. He glared at Naomi and Erica with cold eyes, then warned, “I dare you to touch her again.”

His gaze was murderous. If Naomi were not a woman, he would have definitely fought back.

Frightened by his aura, she took a step back as Elliot’s gaze stopped her from acting aggressive.

“Mrs. Tillman, please calm down. Our priority is to save President Tillman at this moment.” Alex came to drag Naomi away as he did not want her to cause any more trouble.

“Mom…” In truth, Erica was satisfied to see her mother slapping Anastasia.

Anastasia covered her cheek and remained silent. If it was not for the nerve-wrecking and guilt-inducing circumstances that she was in, she would not have stayed quiet about this.

“Does it hurt?” Elliot gently touched the side of her face that had been slapped.

“It’s fine.” Anastasia shook her head.

Elliot’s eyes shot at Naomi once again like a dagger with a killing intent present through his gaze.

When Naomi’s eyes met his, she instantly jumped up in shock as she quickly thought of an excuse. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

As she returned, Francis’ attending doctor, who was the Head of Neurology, came over and inquired, “What kind of medicine does your husband usually take? What’s the dosage of the medicine? We found a residual pill in his mouth just now. Why is it there?”

“Doctor, my husband usually takes supplements for his heart. He came back today and felt uncomfortable, so he took a few more pills at a time. But before he could swallow the medicine, he fainted,” Naomi explained while sobbing again.

Funny how the act of shoving pills down Francis’ throat has now become a voluntary act of his, thanks to her great storytelling.

“He shouldn’t have prescribed his own dosage. In cases like this, you should have sent the patient to the hospital right away, but you’ve delayed for way too long. That’s why you missed the golden hour.” After the doctor finished speaking, he left.

Although Anastasia was in grief, she was in a clear state of mind. She stood up beside Elliot and questioned while looking at Naomi, “Why didn’t you send Dad to People’s Hospital and took a detour to this hospital instead?”

Naomi was startled, but Alex came over and apologized, “I’m sorry, Miss Tillman. It’s all my fault. I took the wrong turn because I was not familiar with the road to the nearest hospital, so I ended up here.”

“I’m grateful enough that Alex came and took your father to the hospital. How dare you come at us for being late! Did you think I was going to harm my own husband?” Naomi turned around and retorted aggressively. “What about you?! When your dad passed out, where were you, and what were you doing?”

“She was busy preparing for her engagement, of course! Why would she even have time to care about her father?” Erica insulted.

“Your father is in a coma and in a vegetative state. The audacity to even still think about engaging! Aren’t you afraid of karma? How could you even do such an awful thing at a time like this?” Naomi scolded again as if Anastasia becoming engaged was an unfilial thing to do.

Elliot’s eyes scanned the mother and daughter as their malicious intentions against Anastasia were getting clearer by the minute…

Alex, who was enjoying the show on the side, sneered inwardly. Elliot’s dream of marrying Anastasia might as well be flushed down the drain now.

As long as Francis remained unconscious, Anastasia would not be able to marry with a peace of mind, which meant that Elliot could not be the son-in-law of the Tillman Family anytime soon.

“Are you done? Can’t you see that she’s already stressed out? What else do you want?” Elliot stared at Naomi and Erica with a cold gaze.

“Young Master Elliot, I’m sorry but Anastasia belongs to our family. I’m afraid that her engagement will be off,” Naomi stated boldly.

“This matter is up to us to decide. You don’t have the right to intervene.” Elliot glanced at her coldly, not bothering to save any respect for her.

Naomi choked in surprise and looked at Anastasia. “Your father is in serious condition now. You can’t get engaged without his presence!”

As long as Anastasia was not engaged, Elliot was not the son-in-law of the Tillman Family. Despite how powerful he was, he could not interfere in the affairs of their family.

She looked up at him and inquired, “Can I arrange for my dad to be transferred to your hospital?”

Even without her request, Elliot already had that plan in mind. Presgrave Hospital had state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology, so it was more likely for them to cure Francis.

“Sure. I’ll make an arrangement right now.” Elliot nodded.

Naomi heard that, her expression fell and she immediately stopped them. “Your dad has

Dad’s treatment.” Of course, she assumed that Naomi also wanted to save her father, so she explained it to

it, she blatantly rejected the offer. “I don’t believe in any hoax of better technology. I just don’t want my husband to suffer

that you hold a grudge against me, but Dad’s health is more important now.”

Why do you have to torment him? If something goes wrong on the way… or if he encounters an accident, what

hospital, Anastasia could only hold back temporarily. Nodding as she compromised and said, “Okay, I will let Dad stay here tonight. We’ll see how his condition is and

minutes as the representative. She sat in front of Francis’ hospital bed and looked at his lifeless and pale face. She muttered coldly in

During dinner, her father was still happily drinking and talking to

have

him with gratitude filled in her eyes. At a

so I had Grandma take care of

felt safe leaving her son at Presgrave Residence, so she nodded.

Elliot took off his suit coat and draped it over Anastasia’s body. Since she was in such a hurry to come to the hospital earlier, she only

looked at Anastasia with jealousy. A rich and young master like Elliot was considerately by Anastasia’s side, taking care of

exuded a dark

ability to make him

She took them and handed a bottle to Elliot, who was obviously reluctant to accept anything given by another man. Even if it was just a bottle of water, he

bottle, she set the bottle aside and opened the one in her

it before he took

Alex took a seat beside Erica, she

took off his suit and gave it to her. Erica was wearing Alex’s suit, but she did not receive

men in suits appeared in the corridor while looking dapper with a scholarly aura. They went straight to Elliot’s side and greeted him

in response. “All

them. It seemed that these

the details.” After saying that, Benedict and the other two went to the doctor’s office

to ask, “Who are these people and what are they

exaggerated reaction, she uttered lightly, “Just

thought they did not look like his friends but doctors instead. She then exchanged glances with Erica

you want to go in

that, all three of them went

inquired, “The three people just now should be doctors sent by Elliot. Do you

shouldn’t raise his suspicion,” Alex reminded

hold back her temper and reply, “We’ll just

corridor outside, Anastasia noticed that Elliot was wearing only a shirt and a vest. She then asked out of concern, “Are you cold? Do you want to take

reassured her and held

as she felt bad. She then snuggled into his embrace and

her tightly while his thin lips kissed her hair since he felt sorry for

came are

glimmer of hope and instantly felt relieved. At this moment, she realized how honored and

a while, Benedict came over. “Elliot, Miss Tillman,

to hold Anastasia’s

experts and the two doctors who revived Anastasia’s father earlier were present. Through their gaze, one could

one of the doctors gave a detailed explanation of Francis’

too late to the hospital. If he could have arrived ten minutes earlier, the situation would have

possible for my dad to wake

wake up, but it’s not totally impossible. Nothing is absolute, but your father’s heart failure has caused various complications, especially his brain

had been resisting suddenly rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably. As she heard

hand and uttered in a deep voice, “Please think of some other ways you can save

implemented right now. It’s gonna take a period of observation. We can’t undergo the brain treatment until the examination data

long do you roughly

in our power to maintain your father’s treatment while he is in

he needs. Money is not a

Elliot. We guarantee to provide the

that had been lingering on her mind, Anastasia took the opportunity to ask, “Does my dad’s episode have something to do with his alcohol intake—specifically two

two glasses of wine, it would not cause his heart failure. We suspect that your father had ingested the medicine

father’s mouth and it is a poisonous drug for the cardiovascular system. Rather than strengthening the heart, it has the opposite effect. As for the exact properties of it, it will take two

was shocked to hear that. Why would her father

should inquire with someone who stays with your father

of it while I collect some samples of my dad’s medications for your

“That would be great.”

hotel opposite the hospital. Take Miss Tillman over to rest! Rest assured we’re here to

Anastasia. “Benedict and the others will guard here. They’ll

that would take more than a day or two. She had to maintain her physical strength

the hospital and entered the car, she was thinking about one thing—why is there even a chance for a poisonous drug within the reach of my dad, let

want to head home and check on the kind of medicines

you there.” He

lounge when Alex quickly walked in and informed them, “I heard from the

“Where did they go?”

home! Let’s come back tomorrow morning,”

to leave. “Mom,

Along the way, Alex asked Naomi if the pills were left at home which she then answered, “I only bought two bottles. One is in my hand now and the other is at your place. I

and get rid of it! We can’t let anyone discover

the pills into a nearby river and returned to the car and assured, “Don’t worry, Anastasia will never

other accomplice, also breathed a sigh

parked outside the gate of Tillman Residence. After keying in the passcode at the door, Anastasia found that the lights were still on. She also saw the driver, Joe, sleeping on the sofa. When Joe heard the noise at

back. What about President

you here,

me to stay and watch the house,

serious as she inquired, “Mr. Bachelor, tell me about the situation last night when you saw my father

left, but I suddenly recalled that Old Madam Presgrave gave a lot of gifts in the car, so I turned back. When I walked in with the

about my stepmother and

Tillman to the hospital, but

much time had passed between the moment you witnessed it and the time you

to sixteen

further, she took out her phone and checked the call log. When she added up the time it took for her to receive the call, the time it took Joe to process the situation and the time it took

time from home to General Hospital was about twenty-three minutes. Alex said that he had taken the wrong way, but did it really take him more than twenty minutes to detour? Why did he not take Dad to

did not want to overthink Naomi’s motives and thoughts, but their unreasonable time on the road was the very factor why Francis

know what kind of medicines

only know one; he usually takes a pill to relieve his heart discomfort. After the last time he fainted, President Tillman took it with him every day, saying it was to

rose to her feet searched for the medicine in the cabinet. She could not bother much anymore as she went to the master bedroom on the second floor. In the cabinet, she found a bottle of heart medication that her father often took. Other than that, no other

pills from several bottles of medicine in the cabinet. She wanted to clarify if the pills left in her father’s mouth were

I got some pills from

could not help but feel a tug in his chest. He had always been loyal to Francis, so he naturally nodded affirmatively. “Okay, I

through the door. Judging from the luxury car parked outside, they must have

did not expect Anastasia to

taking care of your dad in the hospital?” Naomi immediately questioned Anastasia out of

coldly, “What’s wrong with me coming back? This is my home after

then saw

she immediately entered the hall and saw Joe, who was about to leave. She

out to smoke earlier, madam. If there is

good if she came home

car, she closed her eyes and calmed herself down for a few seconds before uttering, “I have a feeling this isn’t entirely an accident. When Naomi and Alex took him to the hospital, they took way too long. It was the delay that caused

you suspect

has nothing to do with this incident, but if I really find out that she plotted something, I won’t let her get away with this.” Anastasia gritted

trace.” Elliot comforted her once again. Not only

hotel, it was already 2.00AM before he knew

sofa while panic took over her. She thought about what she had done at this moment and she

she suspect something? I thought the performance by Erica and I was

I’m just reading too much into this, Naomi

found her waiting for him. After a round of passionate tussling, she started asking him about Francis. All he divulged was that Francis had suddenly collapsed and

when she sensed how wary and secretive Alex was toward her, seeing as the end

coma, Hayley doubted that Anastasia would continue with the engagement; it was not proper in light of the grim situation at present, and besides,

hotel, Anastasia could not sleep. She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and stared out at the hospital across the road. Worry was evident in her

around her from behind. “Let’s get

in her life was tossed up in

held her through the night, but it was not a restful slumber. Elliot, on the other hand, hardly

woke up the next morning and heard Elliot speaking on the phone with Benedict, who had called to tell him that Francis’ condition had not changed much since last night, though there were

going to need you to sign the consent form

firmly. “I don’t care if Naomi objects to it. You can bring Dad over to your hospital for a thorough check-up and all

phone. “Bring him over

her breakfast, Anastasia headed over to the hospital to sign the patient transfer paperwork. It wasn’t until she saw her father being wheeled into an idling ambulance that she felt hope course through her. She prayed furtively that Francis

the caller ID, and upon seeing Naomi’s name flashing on the screen, she knew that her stepmother had

no

up to, Anastasia! Who gave you the right to have your father transferred to another hospital? Your father is in no condition to be moved around willy-nilly! You better pray that he wakes up, because if he doesn’t, then you’ll have

Anastasia replied curtly. “He’s my father, and I want him to

sentiments for the fool who will believe it, Anastasia. You just want your father to die so that you can take over his company. That’s it, isn’t it? I know

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