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.”

I am. I have plenty of stories about you too!” Elliot

ladies’ before?” Anastasia’s eyes widened in shock. Was he mistaken as a

learn more of my stories, I’ll tell

smiled while blushing in embarrassment whereas Nigel patted Elliot’s shoulder. “Patience, Elliot. Be patient. You’re

could not fall asleep at night. Although there were three days remaining before the engagement, it felt

was the engagement day at

the intent to spread the news. Soon, the Internet went wild over the engagement

other side, Hayley saw the news and shoved everything off the desk in a

Anastasia had become Mrs. Presgrave and Hayley was left with

Hayley had been staying indoors. However, she was left with not much money; even her

times always called for desperate measures. The desperate woman, who

money from Anastasia, who was going to marry

could threaten her with the

was certain that Anastasia would provide her with some money in

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

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

taking a deep breath, Hayley took a burner phone and

Anastasia’s voice came from

she was using a voice changer app. “Anastasia Tillman, I heard that you’re

you?” Rage soared in Anastasia’s voice at the

son so much. I wish I

come close to

had happened five years ago. I will tell everyone

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

much do you want?”

hesitate once she heard the offer.

can consider it if

hundred thousand. That’s

than a hundred thousand.” Anastasia was determined to catch

Presgrave, that rich guy. How

for some reason. ‘His’ voice and tone was familiar to Anastasia’s ears. Then, a figure seeped into

person talking is not

saying, “Elliot and I are not on good

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

He doesn’t love me.

will believe in those lies.

flaring with ire as her conjecture had hardened into conviction. It was Hayley calling her at the moment.

Hayley was trying her

in prison. I guess I should grant her a wish by sending

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

You gotta promise that you stay out of my son’s sight or I’ll make you

that Anastasia had priced up the offer due to ‘fear’, Hayley was in triumph as her

hasty the person was, Anastasia was certain that it was indeed Hayley attempting to bamboozle her. Hayley was in

she acted as the gigolo to get money from Anastasia, which

Hayley this time round. “How should I

send you the location. And you gotta leave

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

have to give me the

terminated the call before dialing Elliot’s number and informed him about the situation, asking him to

plate with tonight’s engagement ceremony

was so foolish

there was a chance to recover her looks! As she was feeling giddy about her ‘flawless’ plan, Hayley figured that she could make Anastasia her very

before texting the password. An hour later, she would be swimming in cash

furtively, she planned to wear a disguise apart from hiring someone with

was a guy shoving a bulging bag into one of the lockers. He set a password

throng was Hayley, whose eyes were

she would own in the near future, five hundred thousand was a trifle to Anastasia. It

left the money as told. You better do as you’ve

sniggering Hayley glanced at a young man next to her, who seemed quite dense,

which she instructed him to move a hefty

could barely move it. After

at the entrance, she instructed him, “Drop

is in that bag? It’s so heavy,” asked

by saying, “Just

he took the thousand dollar cash and left

same time, Hayley hauled the bag to the side to have a look of the content. It was loaded with cash as she had expected! Just as she was about to carry the bag, a shadow loomed over her and caused her to raise her head at

“Hayley Seymour, you’re under arrest for blackmailing Miss Tillman a large sum of money. Please follow us to

pallid within split seconds. What? How did she

forwent the money and dashed with all

me! Who are

Tillman’s bodyguards.

that b*tch know

Miss Tillman like that.” Then, the bodyguard flung

the pit of her stomach, for she had not foreseen herself

to five hundred thousand—the higher the amount of money involved, the heavier

was cuffed and taken away

the makeup room, was informed that Hayley was taken into custody. Everything had gone as

shall we

Anastasia as the elite makeup team tended to her at Elliot’s

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

the watch I gave you? Do you not like my present?” Harriet saw Elliot’s watch in the car and she could not

Grandma. I’ll

your lucky watch. It has been blessed by God and was

God?” This

course! This watch brings good

then, I will wear

was not enough time for him to pick up Anastasia because Elliot had picked Harriet up, so he asked for a motorcade

you to come back and forth. I can take a cab by myself.” Anastasia told

me take a watch from the cabinet.”

“Sure! Which one?”

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

meaning?” she asked curiously. After all, she knew

was a gift from

was a bit jealous, wondering which

I will bring it to

makeup, she paired it with her white diamond dress, which made

display glass for his watches. Under the lights, the watches radiated

could see the light emerald watch reflecting a motif of a

Then,

today, which signaled

the villa, with Anastasia sitting in one of the luxurious

of the city and it was one of the properties of the Mansons. The exterior of the extravagant hotel was lined with festive lights,

that on the inside of the black car sat an elegant woman

there for quite a while in a stylish black suit and combed hair, accentuating his good looks. He could not help smiling upon seeing the

woman he had been

opened the door to the sight of Anastasia staring back at him

blatantly see that the look in her

at the sight of this. Hmph, I’m also dressed to the nines today. Any woman would be attracted to me, but why isn’t Anastasia

with such a gaze. He had once hoped

worthy of

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

even

jealous of them. Rather, he truly wished them happiness, as the thing

was being extra shy today, was being led by

back and see Nigel. She raised her hand to greet

Nigel replied,

blushing 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

publicly displaying your love?

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

his words while covering her mouth,

Inside the venue hall.

blue-themed engagement venue, the whole thing was

were scattered around the scene, making the venue have a

finally remembered about the watch, so she took it out and gave it to him. “Is it this

one.” Taking off his other watch, he said, ” This was a gift from my grandma for my 20th birthday.” Wearing it, he continued, “Grandma said that this was a watch that would

“Your grandmother’s words should be

this precise watch that attracted

mind, he just treated it as a gift from his

he was indeed lucky since he had

entered the room later, accompanied

so pretty today, Mommy!” The little child stared at Anastasia. He thought that this

head dotingly. “Thank you, sweetheart. Are you

finally

words. “Yup. He’s your

with Francis sitting right in front of the hall in a suit, looking elegant. He did not know how to describe his

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

for the others, he did not

walked over and said, “Mom,

to announce that Anastasia was

been wishing for this

have!” Harriet was

start at 6.50 pm,