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.

would

owe you my life.” Wanda knew she would’ve bled to death if she was

in detail. Why were you

she overheard Erica and her birth father’s conversation, to Erica pushing her into

life and broke so many laws just to keep her true parentage under wraps. All Erica ever thought about was money and living a lavish, comfortable life. In her twenty years of living in Tillman Residence,

everything you’ve told me is the truth. Are you hiding anything?” Anastasia

have lied to you!” Wanda was so agitated that she nearly passed

herself when she saw Wanda’s sincere gaze. In that case, you shouldn’t blame anyone else when you’ve dug your own grave,

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

blackmailed her for a million. I’ll be put behind bars

but you didn’t receive a single penny from her. I can have the lawyer defend you so that you’ll receive the most lenient sentence. But if you do press

she 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 father and daughter to be

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

long as you’re willing to

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 helpless, alone,

the police, who immediately looked into her incident from that morning

will be paying a heavy price for her misdeeds, she thought, and all of this was due

be too late for Naomi to regret her actions. That

since Anastasia visited her stepmother. Since she happened to be available, why not let Naomi know

stunning Anastasia through the bars, she lunged forward agitatedly. “Anastasia, Anastasia, are you here to bail me out? I’m sorry, Anastasia. I’ve learned my lesson now. Please drop the charges! Please, I

sneering, exuding apathy. “I’ve come bearing news, Naomi. It’s about your

Erica? Has she done anything wrong?”

charged

How dare she kill a human when she can’t even kill an animal? Don’t slander my daughter, Anastasia

but you’ve fattened up her ambition and courage so

what she has done. Please forgive her, seeing that both of you

heard Naomi’s plea. “I do have good news for you,

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

her for even manipulating his will, seeing that

want to see you, much less forgive you for what you’ve done. Don’t get too excited just yet.” Anastasia crushed her hopes unambiguously.

but terrible things about me to your father, haven’t you? But don’t go thinking you

livid that she was beginning to sneer.

sure you’re right to call Erica my father’s daughter?” Anastasia decided to drop the

panicked in response and shrieked, “How dare you, Anastasia. You can hate Erica, but I won’t allow

do you know who your daughter attempted

Panic filled Naomi’s

by pushing her off a cliff into the sea. But because Mrs. Garner survived, Erica allied with a man to wound her with a machete. Wanna guess his name? Newman. Patrick

jolted and nearly fell over. Luckily she

Family. She’s your daughter with 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

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

All these years,

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

sneered to herself.

like she was still a socialite until the police walked in, where she turned fearful, causing the cutleries in her hands to slip and

Madam Wanda

on her. Her mind was a complete blank and she shivered uncontrollably. In the end,

one who threatened me first! I didn’t mean to kill her…” she

as he could now get out of bed and move about; he

spoke excitedly as he looked at his daughter who had just entered the

something to tell

it. I’ve faced death in the face, so there is nothing I can’t handle.” Francis

your biological daughter. She was conceived by Naomi with another

would be calm, Francis’ expression was full of shock while he was significantly stunned. “What?! Are you sure about

You can conduct a paternity test with Erica if you would like more confirmation.” Anastasia was sure about this as she knew that Mrs. Garner’ words were definitely worth trusting. Furthermore, Naomi’s reaction also clearly indicated

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

blood to run the test

and was extremely disappointed in Naomi’s conduct. He turned to look at Anastasia with remorse filling in his eyes. “Anastasia, I’m so sorry for neglecting you all these

no point in bringing it up. Right now, I just hope that you won’t be lenient this time. Naomi has to face the consequences of her actions. Erica has also committed a crime and she’s

Erica… What sort of crime?” Francis asked in

enough to commit attempted murder. “She has the exact same personality as her mother. How can they be so heartless? I can’t believe that she killed Mrs.

she grew up under your care and you’re attached to her, but could you leave this matter in my hands? Don’t interfere in this.” She did not wish for

nodded in agreement. “Sure, I won’t interfere in this. Just do what’s

Naomi’s case. You would need to be interviewed by the police regarding the matter of how she

want any of his feelings and kinship toward Naomi to jeopardize the

I don’t want such a dangerous person staying

her own. As such,

be no point in him drafting a will anymore because there would be

was sending a car over to pick her up as today was the day he received his latest yacht,

she convinced herself to relax and focus on accompanying Elliot and

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

smiled and replied, “Sure.” He’s arranged everything

purple gown at the boutique and looked stunning with a

rarely see anyone being able to own this color as much as you do! It looks perfect on

kind words,”

up one by one, as if it was commanded by the dusk, as the night approached. She admired the scenic views along

just darkened and the illuminated yacht stood

car headed in the direction of the yacht and as Anastasia alighted from the car, her long

cabin when she heard her son’s

aura of a rich

same time, she was quite taken aback because her son actually resembled Elliot a lot after the

beautiful today!” Jared tilted his head

true?” Anastasia enjoyed listening to her

beautiful and that’s why I’m such an adorable and handsome child!” Jared chuckled

think you’re taking this

early spring, he was merely dressed in a white shirt paired with a dark-colored vest as he could withstand the cold. The tapered pants that he wore accentuated his long legs perfectly and the

flushed. Wow, not many people can

were about to be engaged soon, she

criterias for a beautiful

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

you well,” Elliot praised

“Really?”

dress 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 generously,

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

Presgrave, I’ll head upstairs to have a game. Stay here and keep my mommy company. You guys can have some romantic time together.”

him as Elliot comforted in a low voice, “Don’t you worry. There are bodyguards upstairs, so they will keep him

sailed along the sea steadily and they remained close to the shores so that they could see the buildings all beautifully lit up

frustrations from the past few days were finally released and she felt as if she was located in another realm,

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 great cook and

stay at Presgrave Residence for the past month. Perhaps, he was even much healthier

well. At the same time, she also realized that Jared

broad and strong back. At that moment, there was a sense of security that welled up within her and she felt as if

bed and Anastasia waited outside the corridor for Elliot to come

Anastasia to the master bedroom. As

people present tonight. Finally, I can do what I wanted

already raised her chin and cupped her tiny

Finally, he was satiated and released her as she snuggled into his

engagement party,” Elliot spoke softly in her ears

as she didn’t want to make him wait any

next morning, Francis, who hadn’t appeared in public for quite some time, turned up at his company. The first thing he wanted to deal

he had received a bribe of a million

custody that morning. He trembled hard out of fear as he never expected that he would have to pay such a huge price at this age for a daughter

was left in her was fear

the news with the heading, ‘The second daughter of the Tillman Family, Erica Tillman,

detained, Hayley remained holed up in a hotel room and she didn’t dare to appear in public as she was worried that he would reveal something incriminating about her. After all, she had been by his side and concocted

saw a piece

news, she cackled loudly and

just then, she felt

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

million, but now that he had been taken into

panicked as she studied her face intently. The bulge on her forehead was too prominent and couldn’t be covered

obtain money. Suddenly, she thought of Elliot and wondered if she could blackmail him into giving her money

had been several months since she did that despicable thing to Harriet, so perhaps he would forgive

at the underground parking lot of Presgrave Group. She had been to the parking lot plenty of

Group. She used to turn up there quite often, so the receptionist remembered her and didn’t stop her

took the elevators and went directly to the underground parking lot. She

lights of a familiar car turning in this direction. That was a distinct,

Elliot was here.

hair and took out a vanity mirror to check her makeup under the lights. Subsequently, she tugged at her neckline to lower it since she wanted to appear gorgeous in front of

soon as the car pulled over, Hayley rushed forward with a bag in her hand. However, the bodyguard, who had

so step

person who stepped out of the car elegantly wasn’t Elliot. In fact, it was

that rang out from behind, “How can you be so shameless, huh? I can’t believe you actually have the

at Anastasia. “Anastasia, you’ve forced your own sister into prison, so you’re definitely the most heartless