Never Too Far Novel

Today was Christmas Eve—the day Anastasia and Elliot were supposed to have held their engagement party. However, it was canceled due to Francis’ accident and eventual comatose state. Anastasia had also felt apologetic toward Elliot for this.

In the morning, Anastasia was to head to the company for a meeting, while she would spend the night celebrating Christmas Eve with Elliot back in the Presgrave Residence.

When Anastasia arrived in the conference room of Tillman Constructions, she noticed Erica’s resentful glares at her. The hatred in Erica’s eyes seemed as though it could come bursting out, as she did not even bother to inform Erica when Naomi had been taken down to the station. Anastasia then glanced over to the man beside Erica. Alex only met Anastasia’s eyes one time before he looked away, as he was afraid to make any further eye contact with her.

The participants of the meeting were all key members of Tillman Constructions. When all the managers of their respective departments were present, Erica stood up and led the meeting. “My mother could not attend due to certain matters. Also, I would like to announce that Alex and I have gotten our marriage certificate. Hence, from now on, as my husband and my father’s son-in-law, he will be in charge of the affairs of Tillman Constructions instead of my mother and me.”

Everyone present was shocked, yet some seemed to have anticipated such development, as they had seen the ambitions in Alex’s eyes. Thus, it was not surprising for them to see Alex finally obtaining the position he always pined for. On the other hand, Anastasia was slightly shocked, as she had not expected Naomi to make her move so quickly by letting Alex replace her as president of the company and be the pillar of support for Erica.

“Let’s have President Hunter give a few words.” Erica took her seat as she proudly turned her attention toward Alex.

With his ambitions concealed, Alex stood up and feigned a slightly modest expression before addressing the room. “Right now, there is no one in charge. That is why Erica and I have decided to get married this early for me to have a proper cause to manage the company. Everyone, please have faith in my capabilities. I will certainly take good care of Tillman Constructions.”

Since Alex still had several supporters in the company, they immediately voiced their opinions and expressed their trust in him, supporting him for the presidency of the company. Even the others that did not think highly of Alex had to stick by him, as they believed Alex would make things difficult for them in the company in the future if they did otherwise.

At the moment, all Anastasia could do was watch Alex become the president of the company and how quickly he gained everyone’s trust.

“Anastasia, please trust me. I will certainly not let your father down,” Alex said with his eyes on Anastasia with the intent to gain her trust.

However, there was no chance for Anastasia to trust him, as she knew Alex was involved in her father’s coma. Furthermore, considering that Alex was also in charge of the finance department, which was the most important department in the company, it was clear that Alex held too much power in his hand. Given that Erica knew next to nothing about the company’s operation, it was clear as day that Alex would be fully in control of the company. No one would be able to stop Alex from doing anything he wanted at that point.

“Since the company is short-staffed right now, I’ve decided to become a member of the company. Mr. Hunter, since you’ll be the president of the company, then I’ll join the finance department to gain some experience. Surely you have no qualms with that arrangement?” Anastasia would not stand by and watch her father’s company being taken over by an outsider.

“Anastasia, it seems you still don’t trust me!” Alex wore a sad expression.

Erica couldn’t help but refuse. “Anastasia Tillman, you’re not a finance major, so why are you trying to join the finance department? Do you not trust my husband?”

“What if I say I don’t?” Anastasia sneered, “Since I hold 30 percent of the company’s shares, I have the right to enter any department of the company. Even if I want to be the manager of the finance department, you have no right to interfere with my decision.”

Noticing the direction the argument was going, Alex immediately interfered. “Anastasia, Erica is right. You have no experience in finance, but if you wish to be part of the management, the planning department is lacking a manager or two.”

“I want to be a finance manager,” Anastasia said forcefully. “Otherwise, I will not agree with Mr. Hunter becoming the president of the company.”

“You…” Erica choked.

“Then how about this, I’ll be the president instead, and Mr. Hunter can continue his position as the finance manager?” Dressed in a black sweater and black trench coat, Anastasia exuded an indescribable dominance as she asked with her eyebrows raised.

“Anastasia, the operations in the finance department are complicated. How about…” Alex was becoming anxious, as Anastasia was not easy to deal with.

“That is not something you need to worry about, Mr. Hunter. My fiancé, Elliot, is surrounded by finance staff, and they are more than enough to teach me how a finance department operates.” Anastasia said coldly, “It’s decided. I’ll come to work tomorrow.”

“Anastasia, hold it…” Erica was so angry that her face had gone pale.

“Suspected as the one who poisoned my father, your mother will be facing criminal charges. That’s all I have to inform you.” Anastasia stood up. The stunning presence her desolate eyes gave off was just like a crimson rose, intimidating and petrifying.

All at once, an uproar erupted in the room. Most of the people present were Francis’ employees, so they were all shocked to hear such news.

“W-What are you saying? My mother? She loves my father very much. It’s impossible for her to harm him. Anastasia Tillman, don’t you slander my mother like this!” Erica screamed.

“I think you all have forgotten that the initial capital for this company came from my grandmother. Hence, I’m not going to let anyone else take over the company so easily,” Anastasia uttered with her gaze in the direction of Erica and Alex.

Both Erica and Alex felt the oppressiveness in Anastasia’s words at this point.

When Anastasia was done, she stood up and left the meeting.

After the meeting, in Alex’s office, Erica went ballistic. “Anastasia that wretch! If my mother gets sentenced because of this, I will never let her off!”

“Your mother was careless to have made a move at such a time. Obviously, Anastasia found out what was going on.” Alex was rather angry with Naomi’s behavior.

Although Erica was not a bright person, she still figured out the truth of her mother’s incident. Gritting her teeth, she explained, “It was all part of Anastasia’s plan to trap my mother. The doctors in that hospital joined hands with Anastasia to lie to us about the possibility of my dad regaining consciousness next week. It was all to entice my mom to do what she did.”

“If Anastasia takes over the finance department, it would be inconvenient for me in the company.” Alex gritted his teeth as well, as he knew Anastasia had seen through his plans for Tillman Constructions. Looks like I’ve underestimated her intelligence. The upcoming battle would be a battle of wits with her.

“Do we have to let her manage the finance department?” Erica said in exasperation.

“This is all we can do at the moment. Between the president of the company and the manager of the finance department, obviously, I would choose the former.” Currently, Alex was still very much thrilled, as he had finally become the president of the company. At the very least, he had the right to decide the company’s affairs from this moment.

Back in the hospital, Anastasia went to take a rest in her private lounge after visiting Francis, as she had not been sleeping well over the past few days.

Elliot had also rushed over to the hospital from the company. Upon entering Anastasia’s room, he found the woman lying on the sofa. The sight of her flowing black hair and delicate fair complexion in the tranquil noon were just like a painting that had come to life.

Captured by such a sight, Elliot went to take a seat on the sofa next to her as quietly as possible. As he admired how Anastasia looked while she was asleep, his heart started to ache for her once more.

Later, Anastasia woke up to find a pair of legs across her field of vision. As her gaze slowly traveled upward, she saw the man was going through his document intently. With the evening glow behind the man’s back, he looked like a heavenly being with a golden aura surrounding him.

Noticing her gaze on him, he raised his thick eyelashes slightly and met her groggy eyes.

“Did you sleep well?” Elliot asked as he placed the document in his hand on the table.

“Yeah, what time is it?” Anastasia asked before she sat up.

“It’s ten past five right now.”

“It’s time for us to leave for your grandmother’s house, then.” Anastasia ran her fingers through her smooth and silky long hair with clearly defined roots. Even her hair strands were enticing the man before her.

Mesmerized by Anastasia, Elliot couldn’t hold himself back and went over to Anastasia, who had already leaned back slightly with her head raised to look at him. She looked slightly taken aback. Elliot held her chin before kissing her red lips. After that, he planted another kiss on the top of her head before he said, “Let’s go. Jared’s waiting for us.”

Unsteady on her feet due to Elliot pulling her up so suddenly, Anastasia couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his waist with her head leaning against his firm chest. In this position, she felt a sense of security that one would not let go the moment one experienced it.

With that, she was led by the man to the underground parking lot before heading for the Presgrave Residence.

On their way there, Anastasia told Elliot about Alex’s appointment as Tillman Constructions’ president.

Elliot asked right away, “Do you need my help?”

Anastasia replied, “No, I don’t need it for the time being. I want them to give themselves away.” She knew that if Alex were to leave Tillman Constructions, it would be difficult to get anything on them. As long as they still coveted her father’s company, they would definitely give themselves away one day. I’m not gonna let off those who hurt Dad!

“Alright, I’ll pick some capable men for you.” Elliot decided to let her take care of it on her own. As long as she needed him, he would always be by her side.

Christmas Eve was supposed to be a day for reunions, but Anastasia’s heart was heavy when she thought of her father, who was still comatose in the hospital. Still, she would never give up as long as there was still hope for him.

She spent the night sleeping with her son at the Presgrave Residence. Jared was very obedient and well-behaved to the point where it made her feel sorry for him. Knowing that she had to look after Francis, he didn’t cry or throw hissy fits at the Presgrave Residence.

Meanwhile, Hayley was staying alone in the master bedroom of Alex’s apartment. Alex and Erica had registered their marriage and were officially husband and wife now, but Hayley believed she could capture his heart with her surgically altered face. Erica was merely a tool for him to get rich, as well as the source of Hayley’s current expenditure.

Thanks to her flair for having men eat out of her hand, Alex lavished money on her. Erica had always looked down on his background, so she treated him like dirt. On the contrary, Hayley appeased and worshiped him, making him unable to resist her.

It was early morning, and the six financial officers of Tillman Constructions’ finance department had just clocked in for work and were gossiping idly. Suddenly, six men and women swarmed into the office. Dressed in business attire, they all gave off an air of shrewdness and competence with bright and piercing eyes.

Anastasia came in from behind them before saying to the financial officers in the office, “Sorry, but you all will be laid off as required by work. Don’t worry, we’ll give you your due by offering you three months of wages as compensation.”

“Why are we laid off, Miss Tillman?!” a female employee asked angrily.

“That’s right! It’s not like we committed any mistakes. We’re doing well at our job!”

All Anastasia could do was apologize to them. With that, the whole finance department was reshuffled and its employees were all replaced by the ones sent by Elliot. Now working for Anastasia, these people started to settle all of Tillman Constructions’ accounts over the last three years.

When Alex hurried to the scene, all his previous subordinates had already been replaced with Anastasia’s people, who were sitting in the office. “Miss Tillman, your people don’t understand Tillman Constructions’ accounts. It’s easy for mistakes to happen,” he said, forcibly suppressing his anger.

“I know that, so my people will start by settling my dad’s accounts over the last three years. If anything wrong happens, I’ll take responsibility for it,” Anastasia replied with folded arms.

and asked, “Miss Tillman, are you

so much. Since you’re handling the company’s projects, it’ll be difficult for you to take care of the company’s finances, so I’m here to take over

was having control over the company’s core department, and the new employees she had brought with her were definitely financial elites trained by Elliot, so Tillman Constructions’ accounts were going to be as clear

lay a hand on her, but she had indeed become an obstacle to his money-making. “Well, in that case, Miss Tillman, I’ll leave the finance department to you. You can come to me if there’s anything,” he replied with superficial friendliness

Anastasia nodded. “Alright.”

rang; she darted a glance at its screen before picking

free? Take a look

pleaded with the man, “Come on,

and her people aren’t able to escape

right. But how did

brutally killed Lucas’ son abroad, so Lucas sued him. He was sentenced to death at

the death of my mom and the kidnapping of Elliot when he was a child. This guy deserves death for having blood

people doing at

“They’re very professional.”

pick you up and take

“Okay.” Anastasia nodded.

to get rid of Anastasia so that he could have complete control over Tillman Constructions by manipulating Erica. However, he was fearful of Elliot’s power and influence. After all, Anastasia was Elliot’s

thought of Erica, who had no brains and could easily be made a

former office, Alex was enjoying the feeling of superiority when the telephone before him rang. He picked

Zimmer from the Golden Meadows Property Group is

He dared not snub President Zimmer, who was one of Francis’ longtime clients and whom he

his assistant over and went to the conference room with the latter. As soon as he pushed the door and entered, he immediately greeted President Zimmer with great enthusiasm, saying, “Why take the trouble to come all the way here, President Zimmer? If there’s

President Tillman, and I wish him a speedy recovery,” President Zimmer replied. Then, he continued with a grave look in his eyes, “President Hunter, I’m here to

with a smile, “President Zimmer,

own ideas and wants to cancel our collaboration with your company, and I can’t

this. If there’s anything

this, so there’s no way I can talk about it,” President Zimmer said

that the cancellation of their collaboration must have something to do

received phone calls from several clients, who also proposed to

their orders in just one day, causing most of the orders Francis had secured for the company to be canceled. Alex was totally incapable of conducting business. He had thought that he could get through the year by relying on these orders. But now, he only had very few projects left at hand just days after the company fell

was justifiable if there was only one person who canceled their order, but now, Alex had a feeling that someone was plotting against him. Who could it be? Who would have such great capability? That person clamped down on almost all of Tillman

face changed color; he thought of someone

Elliot.

one making trouble behind my back? If this is really his doing… Feeling tremendous pressure, Alex couldn’t help but rise from his seat before heading straight for the finance department’s office, where Anastasia had an office of her own and was reviewing the

had been doing a good job over the past

Alex came in somewhat anxiously. “Miss Tillman, I’d like to talk to

raised her eyebrows impassively. “Is there

break and stop targeting Tillman Constructions? This is your dad’s company,

slightly. “I don’t know what you’re talking

year, but now those clients intend to cancel their orders. I only

seemed unruffled on the surface, but she was surprised inwardly. Did Elliot really take action against Alex? What is he up to? “This has nothing to do with Elliot. If the clients want to cancel their orders, you should look within yourself for the reasons instead of blaming him for it,” she argued. Then, she mocked coldly, “Mr. Hunter, I believe nothing will happen to my dad’s company as

do with this. If this is really his doing, please ask him to give the projects back

it was clear that Anastasia wouldn’t help him. “The company’s projects are your own business. I’m

company made profits. Now that he had married Erica, he was considered one of the company’s major shareholders. Not only that, but Erica intended to transfer to him the 40 percent shares Naomi owned

as he left, Anastasia took out

the phone with a chuckle on the other end as if knowing

Tillman Constructions lost a few

“Yes, it is.”

you do

want to acquire Tillman Constructions,”

then?” Anastasia had no objection to his

himself, I’ll

that I can

Alex was one of the people he hated the most because he had overreached himself by courting Anastasia. This alone was sufficient to land him on Elliot’s

issues. The accounts don’t tally; there’s a difference of several million.” Anastasia took charge of Tillman Constructions’ finances precisely to dig up dirt on Alex. Francis trusted him

you up.” Elliot wanted to pick her up from

to go to the hospital to

was suddenly becoming Tillman Constructions’ largest shareholder. If the company went bankrupt one day, he would have to take on huge debts. Not only would he fail to become rich, but he would also be heavily

conjecture brought him out in a cold sweat. Just then, however, Erica called, saying, “Hey, Alex. I’m now on my way to your office to bring you my mom’s equity

Elliot’s overwhelming capabilities. “Damn it!” Looking extremely irritable, he pushed the documents off his desk. Elliot was standing in his way of getting rich, but

to leave the finance department

at her with folded arms. “About

up, so you must’ve made a mistake. Please have her released,”

please care about Dad instead of making excuses for

visibly startled. “W-What

Anastasia clenched her fists. In her opinion, Erica’s actions had made her unqualified to be Francis’

she immediately pleaded in a softer voice, “Sis, please let my mom off! Whatever she did, she only did it in a momentary lapse of judgment! She’s my mom and your stepmother, after all. Could

useless to beg me. You guys never treated me as part of the family, and I always treat you

suggested, “In that case, Anastasia, what do I need to do for you to let my mom off? How about this? I’ll give you ten percent of my

you, no amount of money can save the person who hurt my dad. I

the look in Anastasia’s eyes, Erica took a step back. Immediately, she said between clenched teeth, “Even if you’ve got my mom arrested, my mom’s

that all the former could see was the company’s shares. She’s so blinded by greed that she’s got no sense of kinship to speak of. What a sad thing

was angry deep down. Is there anything else

left with her purse. Elliot has probably arrived downstairs,

office with her purse. Seeing him standing before the French window and looking out the window, she happily walked

man who stepped out of the car in

Why is

then, however, she saw Anastasia walking up to him; he walked toward Anastasia as well. Putting his arm around Anastasia’s shoulders affectionately, he took her bag from her and escorted her into

ablaze with jealousy, Erica ground her teeth

he turned his

the look in Elliot’s eyes

the agreement

torn. He couldn’t decide whether to sign it or not. He still couldn’t make a guess at what exactly Elliot wanted to do with Tillman Constructions. If he obtained the 40 percent

ability to reason, and his presence of mind flew out of the window. In the end, he stretched out his hand

I’ll be depending on you from now on,” Erica said before coming over to give

lost her mother, Erica could only rely on

have a few external funds that I’m afraid might

the company’s

three million.” Alex wasn’t afraid to admit it. Erica had

you…” Erica wanted to scold him, but she could only bite back her words when it occurred to her that he was now her husband. “How

now in control of the company’s finances, so she’ll definitely find out about it. When that happens, just say that you had me divert the money to your bank account for your personal use back then. You’re Francis’ daughter and her younger sister. As long as you claim to be the one who spent the money, nothing will happen.”

reluctantly,

asked, “Do you know what Anastasia is up to?” Then, he told her about the danger. “She had Elliot steal our clients to cause breaks in Tillman

dad’s company go bankrupt?” Erica was

long as Tillman Constructions faces bankruptcy, it’ll undergo liquidation by the bank. When that happens, every shareholder of the company will be burdened with its debts. At that

She just wanted to get some money from the company, but she never wanted to become saddled with debts. “But Anastasia herself

cares if she gets into debt? She’s got Elliot backing her up. The debts will be massive for us, though. If we can’t pay them off, we’re gonna go to jail.” Alex intentionally aroused Erica’s fear since this was the only way to drive

his words. She uttered between clenched

a few clients, our company is in

She couldn’t be too heartless. After all, she was now still his daughter and would remain so for life. I’m Francis’

on his temples. The good news was that his vital signs were stable, with no signs of

PM when she finally left his bedside. Tired, she went back to the room, only to see the man working on the sofa. He had a laptop placed on his lap

sweater, the man seemed stony and yet charming under the light with a serious

up at her. “You’re back? Take a shower

you going to sleep?” she asked. She didn’t want him to stay up

supposed to sleep in her room. However, when he heard her question, he immediately looked up in

into his eyes before lowering her head in

didn’t care about his work anymore. “Alright,

a shower, Elliot was already waiting for her in bed, having taken a shower earlier. She watched as he changed into gray pajamas. Dressed in lilac pajamas,

her whispered in her ear in a deep voice, “I want you to stop

asked a puzzled

I feel that he’s damned.” Elliot’s voice was dripping

It’s funny how this guy looks whenever he gets jealous. “All I have for him

give them the most tragic end.” Elliot couldn’t wait to do it

dad’s life. None of them are gonna get away with it.” Her eyes flickered with rage in the darkness. Perhaps her father would wake up, causing the allegations of him changing his will to fall apart. Still, it was unknown when he would come round. On the other hand, these people were now reaping the fruits of others’ labor, dividing up his company amongst themselves

as though she slept best in his arms. However, she didn’t realize that the man almost always lost sleep on nights when they slept in the arms of each other like this. There was no way he could hold her in his arms without feeling aroused, so he could only suppress his urges. Still, in

up and had breakfast before leaving to check on Francis. However, as soon as she reached the hallway, she saw the lady who was

eyes, recalling that she was here today to beg Anastasia. “Sis, how is Dad?” This