Never Too Far Novel

“I’ll hold you to that. Which day are you on?” Elliot began marking time like a hunter who had set the traps, sitting out, waiting for his game to fall into it.

At that, Anastasia hurriedly answered, “The first day…”

She had to lie no matter what.

“First day, huh,” drawled Elliot. “Six days to go then.”

She laughed up her sleeve as she buried herself in his arms, and Elliot lowered his head to kiss her cheek tyrannically yet dotingly.

“Alright, cut it out. Don’t stay up too late.” She left his arms, allowing him to return to his work, and as she left, he gave her a cheeky smack out of the blue, making her blush. Excuse me!

However, Elliot grinned, seemingly enjoying her reaction while she fled upstairs.

When morning came, Wanda hailed a cab to Tillman Constructions after having her breakfast at home, for she had assumed Anastasia would come bright and early.

“Sorry, I was wondering whether Miss Anastasia Tillman has arrived for work?” she asked after arriving at the guardhouse.

“And you are?”

“I’m looking for her.”

“Register, please.”

“I’m Wanda Garner.” Wanda gave her name.

The guard happened to be Erica’s man and he grabbed his phone, entered the guardhouse, and called Erica after learning who he was speaking to. “Miss Erica, Wanda Garner has arrived.”

“Do as I’ve told you and bring her to me,” she ordered.
“I’ll hold you to that. Which day are you on?” Elliot began marking time like a hunter who had set the traps, sitting out, waiting for his game to fall into it.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll bring her right away.”

With that, he went out and said to Wanda, who had been waiting outside. “You’re looking for Miss Anastasia Tillman, you said? Follow me. I’ll take you there.”

Wanda was already so eager to meet up with Anastasia that she boarded the golf cart without hesitation, and it wasn’t until the guard had driven more than a mile that she began panicking. “Sir, where are you taking me?”

“Miss Tillman’s up ahead. We’re almost there.” In the security guard’s defense, he didn’t know he was handing a human life to Erica on a silver platter since he believed that Erica just wanted to see her.

“Is Miss Anastasia’s office in this area?” a curious Wanda asked.

The guard naturally wouldn’t ask why Erica wanted to see this woman. His job was only to deliver, and he wouldn’t want to offend Erica unless he wanted to lose his job.

Erica and Patrick had long arrived and they watched the guard escort Wanda to their building from the second-floor window. “Miss Tillman’s inside. Go on in!” said the guard.

Wanda was bewildered that Anastasia’s office was located in such a place, for it looked obviously abandoned.

After she entered the building, the door suddenly shut behind her, and she turned around in fright only to see a man—Erica’s birth father!

At last, she realized she had fallen into a trap. I’ve been brought to Erica!

Erica descended the stairs while sneering, “You’re one lucky woman, Mrs. Garner. Who’d have thought you could still live after falling into the sea.”

“You’re a monster, Erica Tillman. Do you really think I’ll die so easily?” condemned Wanda as she pointed to Erica. As Wanda’s focus was on Erica, it gave Patrick the perfect opportunity to grab her throat.

Unfortunately for Patrick, Wanda was strong, having gained her strength and muscles from doing house chores for years and she sank her teeth into his arm.

“Ahhhh!” he cried out in pain and kicked her away.

Seeing so, Erica immediately charged toward Wanda, who shoved Erica away in turn, making her way to the second floor. The main door was locked now; there was no way she could escape from there.

She set her sights on the windows straight away after arriving on the second floor.

“Dad, grab her. Don’t let her get away,” Erica shouted.

Patrick instantly pulled out the machete they had been setting aside for this and charged toward Wanda, scaring the wits out of her. Before she could register anything, a sharp pain came to her lower abdomen, and she fell back the next second and out of the window.

Though she had suffered an injury on her lower abdomen and also dropped from the second floor, she was still going strong, running toward Tillman Constructions while pressing on her bleeding abdomen.

“Dad, she’s getting away!” Erica shouted in terror.

As anxious as Patrick was, he still dared not jump out of the window. “She hasn’t gone far, Erica. I’ll run downstairs and chase after her.”

The area was deserted, for the warehouses here were all abandoned. Despite being seriously injured and also having fallen off a building, Wanda had one thing in mind: she couldn’t die; she had to bring Erica’s true parentage to light.

Erica has to pay the price!

“Help! Someone wants to kill me… Help!” Wanda shouted feebly.

Patrick had caught up with his machete, and his desire to kill Wanda had overthrown his reasoning at this point. No one else could know of his daughter’s true parentage; this woman had to die!

Just then, a motorcycle was passing by, and when the man heard Wanda’s cries for help, he immediately turned in. “Help, help…” Wanda called out at once, seeing there was finally someone.

“What’s wrong, ma’am?” the man asked when he saw that she was covered in blood.

“Someone wants to kill me. Please take me to Tillman Constructions’ front gate…”

Coincidentally, the man was an employee of Tillman Constructions. Without another word, he helped Wanda to his motorcycle and sped away.

Meanwhile, Patrick had hidden away, and cold sweat gathered on his forehead when he saw that Wanda had been taken away. Alas, he had failed his daughter.

Not minutes after Wanda had been taken to the front gates that a black Rolls-Royce pulled over, for a crowd was blocking the path.

“Dad, she’s getting away!” Erica shouted in terror.

As anxious as Patrick was, he still dared not jump out of the window. “She hasn’t gone far, Erica. I’ll run downstairs and chase after her.”
“Miss Tillman, something seems to be going on in front,” the bodyguard notified Anastasia, who was seated at the back.

Worried about the commotion, Anastasia got out of the car and hurriedly squeezed into the crowd. Just then, someone shouted, “Miss Tillman’s here!”

Anastasia discovered the weak woman lying on the ground was none other than Mrs. Garner, who had been working in Tillman Residence for the longest time.

“Mrs. Garner?” She squatted down and couldn’t help being taken aback when she saw her bloody lower abdomen.

“Miss Tillman… I want to tell you a secret… Erica isn’t your father’s daughter…” The next second, Wanda’s eyes rolled upward, out cold.

It took Anastasia a few seconds to recover from the shocking revelation, and she hurriedly turned to her bodyguard behind. “Take her to the hospital.”

With that, the bodyguard dashed to the nearest hospital. While Wanda was taken to the emergency room, Anastasia waited right outside, mulling over what Wanda had just said.

Erica isn’t Dad’s daughter… Does that mean Naomi had her with some other guy? Dad definitely wouldn’t be stupid enough not to do a DNA test before accepting Erica into the family. So Naomi tricked Dad, didn’t she?

Anastasia was too little to remember anything at that time. So if Naomi really did do something, it would’ve been using Anastasia’s blood in replace of Erica’s to successfully pass her father’s test.

Anger flashed across Anastasia’s eyes as the thought crossed her mind. Even her father had been deceived for twenty-over years. This despicable woman, who had no blood relations with her family, drove her out of her own home and even seized her father’s love for years!

Anastasia was so livid that her body started shaking. Also, why had Wanda suffered such a serious injury? Who did it to her?

Anastasia stayed outside of the emergency room alone. She had wanted to tell Francis about it but decided against it in the end, for she worried something would happen to him if he couldn’t take the news since he had just woken up.

Meanwhile, Erica drove back downtown with Patrick in nothing but fear and worry. Wanda had once again slipped from her fingers, so it was only a matter of time before Anastasia discovered the truth of her parentage.

And now, the one thing she had to do was to return to Tillman Residence, take all her mother’s precious jewelry and bank cards, and hide them somewhere.

She had Patrick lie low in the meantime, asking him not to find anyone lately and steer clear of the police lest he dragged her down.

Never had Patrick imagined in all his life he would kill someone for his daughter. Worst of all, he had bloodied his hand without finishing the job. He would definitely be doomed if Wanda ever regained consciousness.

In the Tillman Residence, Erica charged into Francis’ bedroom and ransacked the place, searching for anything she could immediately exchange for money.

However, it never occurred to her if she would ever have the chance to spend them after seizing them.

All Erica ever thought about was money and living a lavish, comfortable life. In her twenty years of living in Tillman Residence, she only ever learned one thing—spending.

Life would be a living hell for her if she didn’t have money. All credit to Naomi as well for successfully producing an incompetent daughter.

Lastly, Erica opened Francis’ watch case and took everything in there away without hesitation.

She decided that she would leave Averna and hide in a different town. For all she knew, Wanda might not actually hold her liable.

Back in the hospital, the doctors managed to revive Wanda. Fortunately, the wound wasn’t on her vital organs, or she actually might not have survived.

Wanda had also woken up in no time, finding Anastasia standing by her bed. Because of Naomi, Wanda also snubbed Anastasia in many ways.

thought Anastasia would one

me, Miss Anastasia. I owe you my life.” Wanda knew she would’ve bled to

tell me in detail. Why were you hunted,

and her birth father’s conversation, to Erica pushing her into the sea, up till what happened earlier in

under wraps. All Erica ever thought about was money and living a lavish, comfortable life. In

you swear everything you’ve told me is the truth. Are you

dare I? I shall be d*mned to hell if I have lied to

sincere gaze. In that case, you shouldn’t blame anyone else when you’ve dug

do you want to press charges against Erica?” she asked Wanda. “I’ll pay for all your

million. I’ll be put

you so that you’ll receive the most lenient sentence. But if you do press charges, Erica and her birth father will have to spend

had two near-death encounters. Therefore, she instantly agreed with little consideration. “Okay, Miss Anastasia. We’ll do as you say. I want to press charges against her. I want the

should be spared,” Wanda said with red-rimmed eyes. Poor Mrs. Garner, having to suffer this kind of

you worry,” uttered Anastasia to comfort her. “As long as you’re willing to press charges, none of them will be

only had Naomi brought her daughter along with her and taken over her home, but the love that was supposedly hers was also taken away from her, leaving her childhood and adolescent years

the police, who immediately looked into her incident from that

other hand, stood behind the window of Wanda’s ward and watched her relate her mishaps. Erica will be paying a heavy price for her misdeeds, she thought, and

for Naomi to regret her

be available, why not let Naomi know of her precious baby

the classy, stunning Anastasia through the bars, she lunged forward agitatedly. “Anastasia, Anastasia, are you here to bail me out?

exuding apathy. “I’ve come bearing

she

daughter is charged

can’t even kill an animal? Don’t slander my daughter, Anastasia Tillman. You’re bullying

she didn’t dare to murder in the past, but you’ve fattened up her ambition and courage so much that she can do anything for

still your sister, no matter what she has done. Please forgive her, seeing that both of you have Francis’ blood running in your veins.”

the frost beneath Anastasia’s eyes only thickened after she heard Naomi’s plea. “I do have good news for

has regained consciousness?! That’s great; I’ve missed him so much!” Naomi

thought it through. If Francis had regained consciousness, he would definitely forgive her for even manipulating

done. Don’t get too excited just yet.” Anastasia crushed her hopes unambiguously.

turned grim in response. “Anastasia, you’ve said nothing but terrible things about me to your father, haven’t you? But don’t go thinking you can drive a wedge between us. Besides, Erica is Francis’ daughter too! He won’t sit

that she was beginning to sneer. How could Naomi continue to act so

to call Erica my father’s daughter?” Anastasia decided to drop

Anastasia. You can hate Erica, but

know who your

filled

But because Mrs. Garner survived, Erica allied with a man to

over. Luckily she held a tight

Patrick Newman. Mrs. Garner discovered his identity when he went to Tillman Residence a month ago, and Erica, worried that her parentage would be exposed, lured Mrs. Garner to the coast and mercilessly pushed her down. After Mrs. Garner was saved, Erica then sought help from her birth father, Patrick. They lured Mrs. Garner to an abandoned warehouse this time and made another murder attempt. Mrs. Garner

hearing Anastasia’s words. Shrieked dramatically, she seemed to be left with no choice. “Spare my daughter,

the Tillman Family. All these years, your daughter was treated

grip on the bars and scream, “Spare my daughter, Anastasia! She’s still so young… Please have mercy on her, please,

herself. Spare

She was enjoying a plate of perfectly cooked steak like she was still a socialite until

to assassinate Madam Wanda Garner twice. We’re gonna have to take you into custody

everyone in the room had their eyes on her. Her mind was a complete blank and she shivered uncontrollably. In the end, she was forcefully dragged out of the door by the

not! She was the one who threatened me first! I didn’t mean to kill her…”

get out of bed and move about; he had even gone to the gym once! He

to be discharged,” he spoke excitedly as he looked at his daughter who had just entered the

I’ve got something to tell you

it. I’ve faced death in the face, so

She was conceived by Naomi with another man,” Anastasia voiced out

expression was full of shock while he was significantly stunned. “What?! Are you sure about

about this as she knew that Mrs. Garner’ words were definitely worth trusting. Furthermore, Naomi’s reaction also clearly indicated the authenticity

of anger appeared in Francis’ eyes. “I can’t believe that she’s lied to me for the past twenty years! She showed me a paternity test report back then. Was that a falsified report then?” “Miss Erica Tillman, you’re now the prime suspect for attempting to assassinate Madam Wanda Garner twice. We’re gonna have to take you into custody for

she used my blood to run the test back

turned to look at Anastasia with remorse filling in his

it up. Right now, I just hope that you won’t be lenient this

sort of

his ears that Erica was actually heartless enough to commit attempted murder. “She has the exact same personality as her mother. How can they be

her, but could you leave this matter in my hands?

I won’t interfere in this. Just do what’s

need to be interviewed by the police regarding the matter of

and kinship toward Naomi to jeopardize the matter. She had already made up her mind to

should get a divorce once the investigation has been completed. I don’t want such a dangerous person staying by your side,” she suggested

was able to handle everything on her own. As such, he decided not to bother about the matter with Naomi and Erica. He would just leave everything in

to such a stage, there would be no point in him drafting a will anymore because there would be only one person

a phone call from Elliot. He mentioned that he was sending a car over to pick her up as today

convinced herself to relax and focus on accompanying Elliot and Jared for

for the port, President Presgrave asked that you pay a visit to the gown boutique and change into

smiled and replied,

into a purple gown at the boutique and looked stunning with

own this color as much as you do!

for your kind words,”

watching the lights lit up one by one, as if it was commanded by the dusk, as the night approached. She admired the scenic views along the way and her heart was never more at peace than this moment;

the sky had just darkened and the illuminated yacht stood out even more in

car, her long hair was blowing in the wind. Her figure was

She had just entered the cabin when

dressed exceptionally handsome tonight with a fitted tuxedo while radiating the aura of a rich little young man. Furthermore, Anastasia could tell that her son’s outfit was

actually resembled Elliot a lot after the get-up. Is this all a

head slightly as he realized that his mommy was

that true?” Anastasia enjoyed listening

My mommy’s beautiful and that’s why I’m such an adorable and handsome child!”

“I think you’re

a white shirt paired with a dark-colored vest as he could withstand the cold. The tapered pants that he wore accentuated

sight of him made Anastasia feel flushed. Wow, not many people

soon as she realized that they were about to be engaged soon, she suddenly felt worried that she might not be able to

criterias for a beautiful woman. Her imperfections naturally become

to him—or at times, even avoiding him, these traits had become the reasons why he felt attracted to

you well,” Elliot

“Really?”

is the low neckline, but there aren’t that many people around tonight, so I’ll keep my jealousy to myself then,” he spoke up

this was something that he intended to patrol her on, then he would have his hands full as she was not conservative

I’ll head upstairs to have a game. Stay here and keep my mommy company. You guys can have some romantic time together.” After Jared said that, he ran up the stairs on the other side

a low voice, “Don’t you worry. There are bodyguards

enjoyed the feeling of being out at sea. The yacht sailed along the sea steadily and they remained close to the shores

finally released and she felt as if she was located in another realm, embracing the

chef to prepare dinner for them. The tender and juicy steak was paired perfectly with some fine wine. Jared, on the other hand, had an exceptionally great meal course too; Anastasia had always prided herself on being a

seemed to have grown much taller and well-built from his stay at Presgrave Residence for the past month. Perhaps,

At the same time, she also realized that Jared

they finally arrived back at the mansion with Jared sound asleep in Elliot’s arms. Anastasia trailed along behind and stared at Elliot’s broad and strong back. At that moment,

waited

the master bedroom. As soon as they

Finally, I can do what I wanted to do but was too shy

her chin and

could feel the dominance and tenderness that he expressed. Finally, he was satiated and released her

making preparations for our engagement party,” Elliot spoke softly in her

She agreed as she didn’t want to make him wait any

The first thing he wanted to deal with was to sue his lawyer for amending his will without seeking consent from the

not expect Francis to be able to regain consciousness and that there would be proof that he had received a bribe of a million in his bank account.

for Patrick Newman, he had been in a residential area before he was taken into custody that morning. He trembled hard out of fear as he never expected that he would have to pay such a

and her eyes were lifeless. In just one day, she had lost her arrogance, and all that was left in her was fear for her future and regret for her actions. They placed Jared on the bed and Anastasia waited outside the corridor for Elliot

press. Soon after it was revealed, the news with the heading, ‘The second daughter

in public as she was worried that he would reveal something incriminating about her. After all,

was busy scrolling on her phone when she suddenly saw a piece of news about Erica. At that moment, she sat upright

someone?” After she finished reading the news, she cackled loudly and

stop cackling, and just then, she felt a dull pain on her cheekbones from laughing too much. Instantly, she

knew that several spots on her face required fixing and upkeep. However, she couldn’t afford that, so she had no choice but to

now that he had been taken into custody, it meant that she had wasted her efforts for

quite beautiful. However, she panicked as she studied her face intently. The bulge on

find a way to obtain money. Suddenly, she thought of Elliot and wondered if she could blackmail him into giving

she did that despicable thing to Harriet, so

a look at the time and it was only 9.00AM, so she decided to wait for Elliot at the underground parking lot of Presgrave Group. She had been to

she made her way to Presgrave Group. She used to turn up there quite often, so the receptionist remembered her and didn’t stop her from entering the

and went directly to the underground parking lot. She hid close to Elliot’s specific parking

her luck there, but unexpectedly, in merely ten minutes, she saw the lights of a familiar car turning

Elliot was here.

out a vanity mirror to check her makeup under the lights. Subsequently, she tugged at her neckline to

hand. However, the

step aside,” Hayley

stepped out of the car

was a mocking voice that rang out from behind,

“Anastasia, you’ve forced your