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.

and she immediately stopped

more advanced technology than other hospitals. It will be helpful for Dad’s treatment.” Of

don’t want my husband to suffer again. He’s merely just landed his foot back in the

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

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

and daughter insisted on not transferring Francis to another hospital, Anastasia could only hold back temporarily. Nodding as she compromised

Francis was transferred to the ICU for monitoring, Naomi went in to visit for ten minutes as the representative. She sat in front of Francis’ hospital bed and looked at his lifeless and pale face. She

father was

“Rest assured that I have arranged for a few doctors from

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

asleep, so I had Grandma take care

son at Presgrave Residence, so she

so the chill was 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

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

a dark and cold aura that made her

have such an ability to make him show her only his best

went to get water for Naomi and Erica, he also bought some for Anastasia. She took them and handed a bottle to Elliot, who was obviously reluctant to accept anything

she set the bottle aside and opened the

before he took a

beside Erica, she

wearing Alex’s suit, but she did not receive the feeling she was looking for. Despite being a man, Alex was

men in suits appeared in the corridor while looking dapper with a scholarly aura.

“All of

It seemed that these three were

to discuss the details.” After saying that, Benedict and the other two went to the

to have realized something and immediately got up to ask, “Who are these people and

Anastasia saw her exaggerated reaction,

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

over there. Do you want to go in and take a rest? It’s quite cold here,” Alex

all three of them

looked at Alex and inquired, “The three people just now should be doctors sent by Elliot. Do you think

here, so we shouldn’t raise his suspicion,” Alex reminded

hold back her temper

noticed that Elliot was wearing only a shirt and a vest. She then asked out

reassured her and held her

she felt bad. She then snuggled into his embrace and the two of them shared his

hugged her tightly while his thin lips kissed her hair

The guys who just came are the leading cardiologists and

felt relieved. At this moment, she realized how honored and lucky she

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

to hold Anastasia’s hand as they

who revived Anastasia’s father earlier were present.

the doctors gave a detailed explanation of

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

possible for my dad to wake up?” Anastasia asked

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

down her cheeks uncontrollably. As she heard

in a deep voice,

take a period

do you roughly

do everything in our power to maintain your father’s treatment while

medication he needs. Money

guarantee to provide the best available treatment for Mr. Tillman,” they

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

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

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

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

with your father about the situation and the kind of

to the bottom of it while I collect some samples of my

“That would be great.”

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

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

take more than a day or two.

of 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

home and check on the kind of medicines my dad

drive you

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

“Where did they go?”

take you guys home! Let’s

her mother to leave. “Mom, let’s go! I

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.

of it! We

the road. She threw the pills into a nearby river and returned to the

breathed a sigh of relief. “Anastasia definitely won’t suspect

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

back. What

are you here, Mr.

just now, she asked me to stay and watch the house, so I didn’t leave. How

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

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

my stepmother

crying in fear and I wanted to take President Tillman to the hospital, but Mr. Hunter came, so they took

moment you witnessed it and the time

to sixteen

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

really take him more than twenty minutes to detour? Why did he not take Dad

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

what kind

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

searched for the medicine in the cabinet. She could not bother much anymore as she went to the master bedroom on

bottles of medicine in the cabinet. She wanted to clarify if the pills left in her

to cover for her. “Mr. Bachelor, I got some pills from home, but please keep it a secret from my

help but feel a tug in his chest. He had always been loyal to Francis, so he

as Anastasia and Elliot were about to go out, they saw Naomi and Erica rushing in through the door. Judging

did not expect Anastasia to

are you running around instead of taking care of

with me coming

reply, then saw Anastasia and Elliot

was about to leave. She hurriedly asked, “Joe, what did Anastasia do when she came

smoke earlier, madam. If there is nothing else, I will be leaving too.” Joe quickly covered

up to no good if she came home secretly.” Erica gritted her

sat in Elliot’s 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

suspect

incident, but if I really find out that she plotted

Not only did he find Naomi suspicious, he also thought that Erica and Alex were

Anastasia back to the hotel,

at Tillman Residence, Naomi was sitting on the sofa while panic took over her. She thought about what she had done at this moment and she suddenly got

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

much into this, Naomi

Hayley’s little apartment and found her waiting for him. After a round of passionate tussling, she started asking him about Francis. All he

Alex was toward her, seeing as the end she sought to achieve was for Anastasia and Elliot to

of the grim situation at present, and besides, the cheerful novelty of her upcoming nuptials would have

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

softly and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Let’s

her life was tossed up in the air. Faith came with the sense of calm that suddenly washed over her; she was sure

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

that Francis’ condition had not changed

limited. We’re going to need you to sign the consent form if we want to bring your father back to the

can bring Dad

the phone. “Bring him 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 the

Naomi’s name flashing on

is it?” Anastasia demanded fearlessly, sparing no niceties as

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 hell to pay!” Naomi snapped belligerently on the

happen,” Anastasia replied curtly. “He’s my father, and I want

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 exactly how that mind of yours works, you wench! You’ve been eyeing his company all along!” Naomi accused, twisting the situation to make it sound like

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