Never Too Far Novel

“Do you know that I was conscious for about ten seconds that night? And how much it pains me to hear what you’ve said to Erica?” Francis asked.

Naomi’s face blanched at the revelation as she drew a sharp breath in horror. He woke up?

“I’m so sorry, Francis. I was wrong. Please give me another chance. Help me out and I’ll do anything as you say to repay you for the rest of my life.” She was willing to do anything just to leave this appalling place.

He shook his head. “I’m not here to get you out. You should atone for your sins.”

“Francis, I’m sorry! I was wrong…” She began wailing from the bottom of her lungs.

Still, Francis was not to be moved as he continued and questioned, “And what about Erica’s true identity? I bet you had used Anastasia’s blood to replace hers in order to deceive me. You’ve used me to bring up your daughter for over 20 years and yet, this is how you treat my daughter? You’re heartless, Naomi.”

“To Erica, you’ve always been her father. She’s a good daughter and she loves you.” Naomi tried to put in good words for her daughter.

“If she truly loved me, she wouldn’t have joined hands with you to conspire against me by changing my last will and taking away my company. And for sure, she wouldn’t have murdered someone just to hide the truth of her identity!”

“Erica is still young, that’s why. She doesn’t know anything. Save her, please! She’s your daughter!” pleaded Naomi.

“Anastasia will deal with you and Erica as she has the right to do so. Everything will be done according to her call and I won’t interfere in this matter,” Francis uttered, driving the last nail into her coffin.

As the realization of her last strand of hope vanishing dawned upon her, her eyes widened in total fear. “What? You’re going to let her handle everything? N-No. Francis, she hates me to death; she’ll kill us! I’m begging you. Please save us!”

“If you had treated her nicely, she wouldn’t have taken things this far. It’s your karma.” A visit at death’s door had cleared the haze in his mind. He had made up his mind to spend the rest of his lifetime with his biological daughter in peace; the others did not bother him in the slightest anymore.

After saying what he intended to say, Francis rose to his feet.

“Francis. Francis! Don’t go! Please, save me!” The desperate woman banged her head onto the transparent barrier continuously in an attempt to make him stay.

Still, he tuned out the noise and left without turning his head.

Meanwhile, Naomi, who was held by the officers, did not feel a smidgen of pain despite the bleeding. Instead, the unprecedented despair was swallowing her little by little inside out.

The jewelry showcase commenced as scheduled at 2.00PM on Friday and it was expected to end at 9.00PM.

Since Anastasia’s jewelry would be displayed in the afternoon, she and Felicia promised to meet up together. They seated themselves at the front row, which was the best spot to watch the show.

Underneath Anastasia’s long coat was a black dress that hugged her figure well. In spite of the unobtrusive color, she exerted elegance that could readily captivate others with one single movement.

The ceremony opening was then followed up by the runway where the models began to take the center stage and present the jewelries, which were imbued with exotic styles from worldwide. Akin to other audiences, Anastasia was having the time of her life while discussing the features of the design with Felicia at times.

Finally, Anastasia’s work ‘Gloryio’ was mentioned alongside her name when the host was introducing the next design.

Her heart palpitated and before long, she saw that very necklace worn around the model’s neck. The model’s enticing collarbone complemented the jewelry well by drawing all eyes onto the item as it glittered under the illuminating lights.

As soon as the model took the limelight, the crowd plunged into a silent commotion with murmuring voices echoing against the walls.

After a few rounds of catwalks, the models retreated to the backstage, where a number of rich people expressed their liking toward Gloryio. After all, it was a one-of-a-kind jewelry that was worth adding to their collection.

“I’m sorry, but this set has been taken.”

“What? I should be the fastest one. Who is it?” the rich lady growled in disapproval.

“It’s President Presgrave of Presgrave Group. It is said that he wishes to give it to his lover,” explained the manager.

Almost instantly, the rich lady broke into a smile. “Oh! I gladly admit that I’m indeed one step too late. He has good taste.”

That was a given, considering that the designer was Elliot’s very lover!

After the showcase, Anastasia decided to invite Felicia for a cup of coffee, but an employee approached Anastasia before she could even leave her seat. “Miss Tillman, please come backstage for a moment.”

Albeit slightly surprised by the request, she went backstage together with Felicia, only to be welcomed by the manager with a smile. “Miss Tillman, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I have a present for you.”

“A present?” While Anastasia was taken aback, the incisive Felicia had a vague guess of the situation.

The manager took out an exquisite white box before opening it to reveal a necklace. It was the one Anastasia had designed! She exclaimed, “This is my design, though! Is it really for me?”

“Yes. Mr. Presgrave has specially noted that he wishes to give it to the woman he loves the most.”

A blushing Anastasia could not contain the sweet joy in her heart. Needless to say, the man had always been adept at giving surprises.

“Anastasia, it seems like there’s a good reason for President Presgrave to insist on using the best diamonds. He’s been planning to give it to you as a gift from the very start,” teased Felicia.

Anastasia could not help but grin from ear to ear. “So, you’ve known this beforehand? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“If I’ve done that, there wouldn’t be any surprises and President Presgrave’s effort would’ve gone down the drain.”

After looking at her own work, Anastasia told the manager, “Please send it to my place.”

“Understood.”

Anastasia left her address with the manager before leaving. Right then, she thought of the man she had been missing.

“Have you received the present?” Elliot chuckled with his low voice.

“Yeah. But why?” asked Anastasia.

“It’s our engagement soon, but you still need a set of jewelry. I think it’ll be meaningful for you to wear it at our engagement ceremony.”

She had nothing to rebut the ideal answer as she was equally pleased. “I think so too.”

“I’ll see you later tonight.”

“Okay. I’m still shopping, just so you know.” She was on cloud nine.

As the engagement ceremony was nearing, Anastasia had been busy these days. Just selecting six sets of gown alone took up a lot of time since she had to take the details into account as well.

Amidst the hectic days, Harriet was the happiest person of all. The future she had been envisioning was coming true at long last—Anastasia was going to be her granddaughter-in-law.

There was a pre-gathering at Presgrave Residence later that night and Anastasia could finally see Nigel, who had been preoccupied due to a business expansion. He barely had the time to catch a breath.

“Still, I can finally become your family as your brother-in-law.” He smiled.

“It feels kinda weird.” She tried to contain her laughter as she was only two years younger than him.

“Fine. You can marry me, then,” he said in undertone so that it would not reach Elliot’s ears.

She played along. “Say it out loud for your brother to hear.”

Suddenly, someone patted Nigel’s shoulder. It was Elliot, whose eyes had narrowed dangerously. “What did you just say?”

“Huh? Did I say something? I said nothing!” Nigel blinked his eyes several times at Anastasia, signaling her to not let the cat out of the bag.

“It’s nothing.” She was about to burst into laughter because of the funny outcome.

Then, Elliot excused himself to greet the seniors and Nigel patted his chest in relief. “I’ve been afraid of him since I was young. You can never imagine his stern face when he’s angry with me. Yet, he used to stand up for me whenever I got into trouble. I really admire him.”

“For real? Tell me more about his younger days! Did he do anything mischievous or embarrassing?” A curious Anastasia was all ears.

Nigel recounted his childhood memories. “Once, I offended the seniors in my school and Elliot—who was abroad at that time—returned to the country immediately to take down seven of them all by himself! I was cheering for him at the sideline and he won! He was so cool!”

As she was listening to the story, Anastasia could literally picture the scene in her head. She had seen pictures of Elliot in his teens and he definitely had the looks of a rich young boy.

“Has he gone out with other girls?” she whispered.

Nigel shook his head as he did not dare to make up a lie for it either. “Though the girls had been lining up to date him, he didn’t like any of them. Only you.”

Anastasia was giddy with merriment at that moment. “Really? Are you telling the truth?”

“I swear.”

Based on their long friendship, she was able to discern the sincerity in his eyes and trusted his words. “Okay. I believe you.”

After greeting the elderly members, Elliot turned his head to see the duo talking with such proximity. Watching how their heads almost touched, Elliot guessed that Anastasia was prying into his past.

His aroused interest led his feet toward them, after which he crossed his arms while pricking up his ears to hear the conversation.

Both of them were so immersed in the gossip that they did not realize the protagonist was just right there. Meanwhile, Nigel’s eyes lit up as he recalled something. “I’ll tell you one of his dark histories.”

“Dark history?”

“Before he was 16, he drove the car and was caught red-handed. The police gave him a lecture and forced him to rewrite all of the driving rules by hand.” Nigel guffawed without feeling a tad of guilt.

Anastasia let out a hearty laughter as well.

Suddenly, they could feel a cold chill accosting them as a voice resounded. “Is it that hilarious?”

The smile on Nigel’s face went stiff before he cleared his throat. “Elliot, I’m already saving your face by not exposing the time you entered the ladies’ by mistake.”

than I am. I have plenty of stories

went to the ladies’ before?” Anastasia’s eyes widened in

would like to learn more of my stories, I’ll tell you later tonight in bed. Don’t listen to

whereas Nigel patted Elliot’s shoulder. “Patience, Elliot.

at night. Although there were three days remaining before the engagement, it

by and it was the engagement day at long

reliable resources, began to offer their sincere wishes to the couple with the intent to spread the news. Soon, the Internet went wild over the engagement of the renowned President Presgrave

off

Anastasia had become Mrs. Presgrave and

much money; even her meals would become a problem if she could not come up

measures. The desperate

could disguise as the gigolo to receive some money from

now. Thus, Hayley could threaten her with the incident that had transpired five years

was certain that Anastasia would provide her with some money in order to retain her

nothing to Anastasia, but it was enough for Hayley to lead a good

for once. She had nothing to lose anyway, so why would she

breath, Hayley took

Who is this?” Anastasia’s voice came from the other

made sure that she was using a voice changer app. “Anastasia Tillman, I heard that you’re getting married soon. Congratulations!”

Rage soared in Anastasia’s voice at

miss our son so much. I

you dare come close to my

expose everything that had happened five years ago. I will tell everyone that you slept with me

was currently at Elliot’s villa, tried to maintain her composure while dealing with the scumbag she had been waiting for all

do you want?” She

she heard the

I can consider it if it’s

thousand.

hundred

that rich guy. How can

and tone was familiar to Anastasia’s ears. Then, a figure seeped into her

is not the

by saying, “Elliot and I are not

snorted coldly. “Anastasia Tillman, that trick won’t work on me! He’ll give you anything you want for

He doesn’t love me. It’s a loveless

in those lies. I know a lot about you and

her conjecture had hardened into conviction. It was Hayley calling her at the moment.

the audacity to appear before Anastasia, Hayley was

lonely Erica who’s currently in prison. I guess I should

whether the person on the phone was indeed Hayley or not—throw the bait

promise that you stay out of my son’s sight or I’ll make you pay for

offer due to ‘fear’, Hayley was in triumph as her trick was

bamboozle her. Hayley was in dire need of money to refine

Anastasia, which caused Anastasia to

Hayley this time round. “How

And you gotta leave the money there

with a credit card. But you gotta promise me that you won’t bother my life again. Otherwise, I won’t give the money to

you have to give me

Having said that, Anastasia terminated the call before dialing Elliot’s number and informed him about the situation, asking him to trap

plate with tonight’s engagement ceremony going on, she could not afford

that Anastasia was so foolish to have fallen for such a trick. Five hundred thousand would be enough for Hayley to survive for

looks! As she was feeling giddy about her ‘flawless’ plan, Hayley figured that she could make Anastasia her very own magic

ordered Anastasia to put the money into a locker at a grocery store before texting the password. An

to get the money furtively, she planned to wear a disguise apart from hiring someone with two hundred dollars

shoving a bulging

nearby throng was Hayley, whose eyes were staring at the locker with excitement.

own in the near future, five hundred thousand was a trifle to

that read, ‘I’ve left the money as told. You better do as you’ve

young man next to her, who seemed quite dense, before asking whether

nodded vigorously, after which she instructed him to move a

receiving the money. The loaded bag was so heavy that he could barely move it. After looking left and right, she wore a cap before trailing behind him. She even covered her face with a mask for this

the man had arrived at the entrance, she instructed him, “Drop

bag? It’s so heavy,”

it over by saying, “Just mask packs from my

that, he took the thousand dollar cash and left like a happy

had expected! Just as she was about to carry the bag, a shadow loomed over her and caused her to raise her head at the oncoming

donned in casual attires showed their police badges. “Hayley Seymour, you’re under arrest for blackmailing Miss Tillman

within split seconds. What? How did she find out that

said, she forwent the money and dashed with all her might. Still, the bodyguards, who were already guarding outside,

go of me!

Tillman’s bodyguards. You can’t

b*tch know that it’s

Miss Tillman like that.” Then, the bodyguard flung her toward

her face and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach, for she had not

was willing to increase the amount to five hundred thousand—the higher the amount of money involved, the heavier the penalty would be.

growled Hayley before she was cuffed and

the meantime, Anastasia, who was in the makeup room, was informed that Hayley was taken into custody. Everything

Tillman, shall we start with the

replied Anastasia as the elite makeup team tended to her

was back to pick his grandmother up. Because of her advanced age,

you? Do you not like my present?” Harriet saw Elliot’s watch in

Elliot replied, “Okay, Grandma. I’ll wear that watch

has been blessed by God and was bought according to your zodiac sign!”

God?”

course! This watch brings good luck to

I will

there was not enough time for him to pick up Anastasia because Elliot had picked Harriet up, so he asked for a motorcade to head over in his stead. Coincidentally, Jared was at the hotel too, so

to pick me up. It’s a hassle for you to come

yeah. Anastasia, help me take a

“Sure! Which one?”

her. “Help me to search for it. It should be at

asked curiously. After all, she knew that the watch

gift from my

a surge of joy, as she was a bit jealous, wondering

bring it to

paired it with her white diamond dress,

Under the lights, the watches radiated its uniqueness and showed off the man’s

emerald watch reflecting a motif of a wolf’s

after making sure it was the same one as in the picture. Then, she placed it in her bag and went down to the motorcade that was waiting

signaled a

with Anastasia sitting in one of

middle of the city and it was one of the properties of the Mansons. The exterior of the extravagant hotel was lined

somewhat see that on the inside of the black car sat an elegant woman that radiated her

at the entrance, a man had stood there for quite a while in a stylish

woman he had

personally opened the door to the sight of Anastasia staring back at him too. Witnessing the man’s charisma made her shy as she slowly looked

in her eyes was full of love and care for

dressed to the nines today. Any woman would be attracted to me, but why

he seen Anastasia look at a man with such a gaze. He had once hoped she would look upon him so,

was worthy of such

decided they were a pair from the start and that he himself was only a missionary who sent

was still devastating to him, even though

he was not jealous of them. Rather, he truly wished them happiness, as the thing

extra shy today, was being led

when they entered the elevator did she finally turn back and see Nigel. She raised her hand to greet him.

Nigel replied, “You

harder and harder, while Elliot only looked on smilingly, admiring the woman who was soon to be his fiancee. He also showed what it meant for one’s

the thirdwheel involuntarily, Nigel coughed lightly. “Can you two stop publicly displaying your love? At least wait until the engagement party

Elliot peered at him. “Nigel, you wouldn’t understand this

his words while covering her mouth, as did Nigel,

Inside the venue hall.

looked very romantic and dreamy. Since Anastasia liked a blue-themed engagement venue, the whole thing was decorated in teal and sky blue, making it seem very simple yet

were scattered around the scene, making the venue

waiting room by the side, Anastasia finally remembered about the watch, so she took it out and gave it

grandma for my 20th birthday.” Wearing it, he continued, “Grandma

“Your grandmother’s

precise watch that attracted Hayley, the evil woman, who

a gift from his

thought that he was indeed lucky

they entered the room later, accompanied by two

stared at Anastasia. He thought that this was the prettiest he had

him, Anastasia hit his head dotingly. “Thank you, sweetheart.

finally call Mr. Presgrave as

Anastasia laughed at his words. “Yup.

the hall in a suit, looking elegant. He did not know how to describe his feelings

understood one thing: only those that shared his blood would truly love him and that he would spend

others, he did not want nor

daughter, Brenda, walked over and said, “Mom,

Harriet could not wait to announce that Anastasia was about to be her future

you’ve been wishing for this for so

Harriet

at 6.50 pm, so there were just