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.

her expression fell and she immediately stopped them. “Your dad has just been

and explained, “Presgrave Hospital has more advanced technology than other hospitals. It will be helpful for Dad’s treatment.” Of course, she assumed that Naomi also wanted to save her father, so she explained it to

technology. I just don’t want my husband to suffer again. He’s merely just landed his foot back in the world; therefore, I will not allow you

but Dad’s health is more important now.” Anastasia

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

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 transfer him after two

of Francis’ hospital bed and looked at his lifeless and pale face. She muttered coldly in her heart, I don’t want you to

her father lying quietly through the glass window. During dinner, her father was still happily drinking and

assured that I have arranged for a few doctors from Presgrave Hospital to check

at him with gratitude filled in her eyes. At a time like this,

I had Grandma

safe leaving her son at

still vaguely present despite the heater that was switched on outside the ward. Elliot took off his suit coat and draped it over Anastasia’s body. Since she was in such a hurry to come

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

a dark and cold aura that made her

to make him

also bought some for Anastasia. She took them and handed a bottle to Elliot, who was obviously reluctant

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

took a few sips of the

Alex took a seat beside Erica, she could

soon as he heard that, he hurriedly took off his suit and gave it to her. Erica was wearing Alex’s suit, but she did not receive the feeling she was looking for. Despite being a man,

a scholarly aura. They went straight to Elliot’s

response. “All

delighted to see Benedict among them. It seemed that these three were

we’ll come back to you to discuss the details.” After saying that, Benedict and the other two went to the doctor’s

something and immediately got up to ask, “Who are these people and what are they going to

exaggerated reaction,

his friends but doctors instead. She then exchanged glances with

lounge over there. Do you want to go in and take

three of them went over to the

“The three people just now should be

shouldn’t raise his

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

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

felt the warmth of his palm, but she still returned the suit to him as she felt bad. She then snuggled

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

guys who just came are the leading cardiologists and neurologists

glimmer of hope and instantly felt relieved. At this moment, she realized how honored and lucky she was to have known

Benedict came over. “Elliot, Miss Tillman, please come

to hold Anastasia’s hand as they followed

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

the doctors gave a detailed

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

for my dad to wake

heart failure has caused various complications, especially his brain which is most affected. Therefore, the possibility of him being in a vegetative

her cheeks uncontrollably. As she heard their statement with closed eyes, she

a deep voice, “Please think of some other ways you can

a way, but it can’t be implemented right now. It’s gonna take a period of observation. We can’t undergo the brain

do

three months! During this period, we will do everything in our power to maintain your father’s

him with whatever medication he needs. Money is not a problem,” said

provide the best available

been lingering on her mind, Anastasia took the opportunity to ask, “Does my

if he only drank two glasses of wine, it would not cause his heart failure. We suspect that

We found a small piece of residual pill in your father’s mouth and it is a poisonous drug for the cardiovascular system. Rather than strengthening the

wrong pill?” Anastasia was shocked to hear that. Why would her father

your father about

while I collect some samples

“That would be great.”

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

the others

her father would be a long battle that would take more than a day or two. She had to maintain her physical strength and body in order to take

they walked out of the hospital and entered the car, she was thinking about one thing—why is there even a chance for

home and check on the kind of medicines

I’ll drive you there.”

side, Naomi and Erica were in the lounge when Alex quickly walked in and informed them, “I heard from the doctor earlier

“Where did they go?”

but I’ll take you guys home! Let’s

her mother to

that, the mother and daughter decided to go home. Along the way, Alex asked Naomi if the pills were left at home which she then answered, “I only bought two bottles. One

rid of it! We

into a nearby river and returned to the car and assured, “Don’t worry, Anastasia

breathed a sigh of

that the lights were still on. She also saw the driver, Joe, sleeping on the sofa. When Joe heard the

you’re back. What about President

you here, Mr.

and

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

sent President Tillman back home and 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 gifts, I already saw President Tillman lying on the ground

about my stepmother

wanted to take President Tillman to the hospital, but Mr. Hunter came, so they took his car

between the moment you witnessed it and the time you called me?” Anastasia

fifteen to sixteen

her to receive the call, the time it took Joe to process the situation and the time it took her father to be taken to the hospital, it came to more than forty

checked the map and found that the 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

Naomi’s motives and thoughts, but their unreasonable time on the road

do you know what kind of medicines my dad

usually takes a pill to relieve his heart discomfort. After the last time he fainted, President Tillman took it

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

out more pills from several bottles of medicine in the cabinet. She wanted to clarify if the pills left in her

cover for her. “Mr. Bachelor, I got some pills from home, but please keep

not help but feel a tug in his chest. He had always

go out, they saw Naomi and Erica rushing in through the door. Judging from the luxury car parked outside, they must have assumed that it

did not expect Anastasia

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

with me coming back? This

reply, then saw Anastasia and Elliot walking toward the

entered the hall and saw Joe, who was about to leave. She hurriedly asked, “Joe, what did Anastasia do when she came home just

came out to smoke earlier, madam. If there is nothing else, I will be leaving too.”

if she came home secretly.” Erica gritted her

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

suspect

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.”

Elliot comforted her once again. Not only

Anastasia back to the hotel, it was already 2.00AM before he

her. She thought about what she

done… it’s either I go big or go home, then. Otherwise, things would become more troublesome. But… What did Anastasia do here? Did she suspect something? I thought the performance by Erica and I was convincing enough, even in front of Joe!

I’m just reading too much into this, Naomi

him about Francis. All he divulged was that Francis had suddenly collapsed and was sent to the hospital for an emergency

Francis’ situation, Hayley nodded. She was not angry when she sensed how wary and secretive Alex was toward her, seeing as the end she sought to achieve was

Anastasia would continue with the engagement; it was not proper in light of the grim situation at present, and besides, the cheerful novelty of her upcoming nuptials

stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and stared out at the hospital across the road. Worry was evident in her eyes, and for each day that Francis stayed unconscious, she grew even more

around her from behind. “Let’s get some rest,

her life was tossed up in the air. Faith

as Elliot held her through the night, but it was not a restful slumber. Elliot, on the other hand, hardly slept a wink, for he woke up as soon as he felt the slightest movement from

to tell him that Francis’ condition had

are limited. We’re going to need you to sign the consent

it. You can bring Dad over to your hospital for a thorough check-up and all

nodded and immediately gave instructions over the phone. “Bring him over to the

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 would receive better treatment over at

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

Anastasia demanded fearlessly, sparing no niceties as she picked up the

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 hell to pay!” Naomi snapped belligerently on

happen,” Anastasia replied curtly. “He’s my

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 exactly how that mind of yours

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255