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.

who’d have thought Anastasia would one day be her

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

in detail. Why were you hunted,

Erica and her birth father’s conversation, to Erica pushing her into the sea,

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

swear everything you’ve told me is the

I have lied to

gaze. In that case, you shouldn’t

she asked Wanda. “I’ll pay

her for a million. I’ll be put behind

have indeed blackmailed her, 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 charges,

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

said with red-rimmed eyes. Poor Mrs. Garner, having to suffer this

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

them was naturally just as intense. Not only had Naomi brought her daughter along with her and taken over her home, but the love that was supposedly hers was also

police, who immediately looked into her incident from that

window of Wanda’s ward and watched her relate her mishaps. Erica will be paying a heavy price for her misdeeds, she thought, and all of this was due to her

for Naomi to regret her actions. That was if she

her stepmother. Since she happened to be available, why not let Naomi know of her precious baby girl’s fate and that

she saw the classy, stunning Anastasia through the bars, she lunged forward agitatedly. “Anastasia, Anastasia, are you here to

exuding apathy. “I’ve

about Erica? Has she

is charged with

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

her ambition

seeing that both of you have Francis’ blood running in your veins.” Naomi thought

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

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

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

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

to your father, haven’t you? But don’t go thinking you can drive a wedge between us. Besides, Erica

to sneer. How could Naomi continue

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

shrieked, “How dare you, Anastasia. You can

who your

filled

first tried to kill her 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.

and nearly fell over. Luckily she held a tight grip on the table. “I

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

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

him whatsoever and used my blood to trick my father into thinking Erica is indeed a descendent of the Tillman Family. All these years, your daughter was treated with nothing but love and affection while I—there’s nothing any one of you can do to salvage all that I’ve lost. I want to see you pay

a death grip on the bars and scream, “Spare

herself. Spare

perfectly cooked steak like she was still a socialite until the police walked in, where she

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

sheet and 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

didn’t kill anyone. I did not! She was the one who threatened me first! I didn’t mean to kill her…” she yelled out in

move about; he

allowed to be discharged,” he spoke excitedly as he looked at his daughter who

to tell you next. Please

the face, so there is nothing I can’t handle.” Francis heaved

conceived by Naomi with another man,” Anastasia

of shock while he was significantly stunned.

more confirmation.” Anastasia was sure about this as she

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?”

run the test back then,”

turned to look at Anastasia with remorse filling in his eyes.

point in bringing it up. Right now, I just hope that you won’t be lenient this time. Naomi has to face

What sort of crime?” Francis asked

to Francis, who could not believe 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 so heartless? I can’t believe that she killed Mrs. Garner in order to

grew up under your care and you’re attached to her, but could you leave this matter in my hands? Don’t interfere in

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

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

feelings and kinship toward Naomi to jeopardize the matter. She had already

I don’t want such a

relieved that she was able to handle everything on her own. As such, he decided not to bother about

a stage, there would be no point in him drafting a will anymore

pick her up as today was the day he received his latest yacht, hence he wanted to bring her and Jared out to sea to

she was busy with such complications, she convinced herself to relax and focus on accompanying Elliot and Jared

pay a

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

the boutique and looked stunning with a strong resemblance to a dark

as much as you do! It looks perfect on you!” the boss of the boutique

kind words,” Anastasia replied

views along the way and her heart was never more at peace than

the illuminated yacht stood out even

as Anastasia alighted from the car, her long hair was blowing in the wind. Her figure was mesmerizing under the shadows as she

She had just entered the cabin when she heard her son’s voice ring out

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

aback because her son actually resembled Elliot a lot after the get-up. Is this all

today!” Jared tilted his head slightly as he realized that his

true?” Anastasia enjoyed

course! My mommy’s beautiful and that’s why I’m such

after hearing his double entendre compliment. “I think you’re taking this chance to praise yourself

from behind a door looking tall and mesmerizing. Although it was early spring, he was merely dressed in a white shirt paired with a dark-colored vest as he could withstand

Anastasia feel flushed. Wow, not many people can resist

she suddenly felt worried that she might not be able to

studied her intently with a smile on his face. She fulfilled all his criterias for a beautiful woman. Her imperfections naturally become perfections to him and

even avoiding him, these

you well,” Elliot

“Really?”

many people around tonight, so I’ll keep my jealousy to myself then,” he spoke up generously, as if she

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

romantic time together.” After Jared said that, he ran up the stairs on the other side since he was already familiar with

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

the sea steadily and they

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

arranged for a highly-ranked top 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 great

the looks of things now, he seemed to have grown much taller and well-built from his stay at Presgrave Residence for the past month. Perhaps, he was even much healthier

gratitude toward Harriet for taking care of Jared so well. At the same time, she also realized that Jared was a huge source of happiness for everyone

sound asleep in Elliot’s arms. Anastasia trailed along behind and stared at Elliot’s broad and strong back. At that moment, there was a sense of security that welled up within her and she felt

Jared on the bed and Anastasia waited outside the corridor for Elliot

the door silently before he was led to Anastasia to the master bedroom.

people present tonight. Finally, I can do what I wanted to do but was too shy earlier to

had already raised her chin and

could feel the dominance and tenderness that he expressed. Finally, he was satiated and released her as she snuggled into his

preparations for our engagement party,” Elliot spoke

as she didn’t want to make him

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

he had received a bribe of a million in his bank account. Thus, there was concrete

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 he hadn’t even met for

and all that was left in her was fear for her future and regret for her actions. They placed Jared

the press. Soon after it was revealed, the news with the heading, ‘The second daughter of the Tillman Family, Erica Tillman, was involved in the murder of their servant’, was trending in first place on the

she was worried that he would reveal something incriminating about her. After all, she had been by his side and concocted plenty of plots for

a piece

finished reading the news, she cackled loudly and was delighted

somehow end up in this state!” Hayley couldn’t stop cackling, and just then, she felt a dull

required fixing and upkeep.

had been taken into custody, it meant that she had wasted her efforts for the past few

look at her face in the mirror, which was still quite beautiful. However, she panicked as she studied her face intently. The bulge on her forehead was too prominent and couldn’t be covered up despite the amount

she racked her brain to find a way to obtain money. Suddenly, she thought of Elliot and wondered if she could blackmail him into giving her money for that night five years

so perhaps he would forgive her

at the underground parking lot of Presgrave Group.

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

directly to the underground parking lot. She hid close

ten minutes, she saw the lights of a familiar car turning in this

Elliot was here.

under the lights. Subsequently, she tugged at her neckline

in her hand. However, the bodyguard, who had just gotten out of the car, stopped

friend, so step aside,” Hayley replied quite

stepped out of the car elegantly wasn’t

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

“Anastasia, you’ve forced your own sister into