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.”

of stories about you too!” Elliot squinted his eyes with

ladies’ before?” Anastasia’s eyes widened in shock.

dangerously. “If you would like to learn more of my stories, I’ll tell you later tonight in bed.

whereas Nigel patted Elliot’s shoulder. “Patience, Elliot. Be patient. You’re going

was wearing thin to the point that he could not fall asleep at night. Although there were three days remaining before the engagement, it felt like a century

by and it was the

the couple with the intent to spread the news. Soon, the Internet

the news and shoved everything off the desk in a fit of pique at her

the end, Anastasia had become Mrs. Presgrave and Hayley

staying indoors. However, she was left with not much money; even her meals would become a problem if she

called for desperate measures. The desperate woman, who

disguise as the gigolo to receive some money from Anastasia, who was

reputation by now. Thus, Hayley could threaten her with the incident that had transpired

that ace card in her sleeves, Hayley was certain that Anastasia would provide her with some money in order to retain

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

Hayley had decided to glamble for once. She had

a deep breath, Hayley took a

came from the other side of the

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

you?” Rage soared in Anastasia’s voice at

miss our son so much. I wish I could see

dare come

if you give me some money. Otherwise, I’ll expose everything that had happened five years ago. I will tell everyone that you slept with me and that you’ve worked at

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

much do you want?” She

once she heard the offer. “One

I can consider it if it’s a

hundred thousand. That’s

than a hundred thousand.” Anastasia was

Elliot Presgrave, that rich guy. How can

altered voice rang a bell for some reason. ‘His’ voice and tone

the person talking is not the

test the waters by saying, “Elliot and I

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

He doesn’t love me. It’s a

will believe in those lies. I know a

gaze was flaring with ire as her conjecture had hardened into conviction. It was Hayley calling her at the moment. It seemed like Hayley had been trying to contact her from the

the audacity to appear before Anastasia, Hayley was trying her luck to blackmail Anastasia by pretending

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

was indeed Hayley or not—throw the bait and make her show

Five hundred thousand is what you want, isn’t it? You gotta promise that you stay out

‘fear’, Hayley was in triumph as her

her. Hayley was in

Anastasia, which caused Anastasia to frown in vexation.

forgive Hayley this time round. “How should I

send you the location. And you gotta leave the money there in an

thousand in cash and 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 to you.” Anastasia feigned

I promise, but you have to give me the right amount

terminated the call before dialing Elliot’s number and informed

her plate with tonight’s engagement ceremony going on, she could

money matter, Hayley heaved a sigh of relief as she left her room, thinking that Anastasia was so foolish to have fallen for such a trick. Five

about her ‘flawless’ plan, Hayley figured that she could make Anastasia her very own magic money tree in the future after having successfully deceived Anastasia like a

put the money into a locker at a grocery store before texting the password. An hour later, she would

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

hour later, amidst the crowded locker room, there was a guy shoving a bulging bag into one of the

whose eyes were staring at the locker with excitement. She

in the near future, five hundred thousand was a trifle

read, ‘I’ve left the money as told. You

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

which she instructed him to move a hefty bag from the locker

After looking left and right, she wore a cap before trailing behind him. She even

the entrance, she

is in that bag? It’s so heavy,”

over by saying, “Just mask packs from my

dollar cash and left like

the content. It was loaded with cash as she had expected! Just as she

donned in casual attires showed their police badges. “Hayley Seymour, you’re under arrest for blackmailing Miss Tillman a large sum of money. Please follow us to the station for

face went pallid within split seconds. What? How did she find

and dashed with all her might. Still,

of me!

bodyguards.

b*tch know that it’s

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

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

hundred thousand—the higher the amount of money involved, the heavier the penalty would be. Still, the hindsight

she was cuffed and taken away

custody. Everything had gone as planned and it added

Tillman, shall we start with

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

her advanced age, he

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

smiling Elliot replied, “Okay, Grandma. I’ll

lucky watch. It has been blessed by God and was bought according

God?” This amused

This watch brings

will

hotel, 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

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

Anastasia, help me take a watch from the

“Sure! Which one?”

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

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

a gift from

as she was

it to you

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

and entered his closet. Inside, there was a display glass for his watches. Under the

reflecting a motif of a wolf’s head upon taking

it with her after making sure it was the same one as in the picture. Then, she

was prominent today, which signaled

three cars slowly left the villa, with Anastasia sitting in one

one of the properties of the Mansons. The exterior of the extravagant hotel was lined with festive lights, making the whole place look

of the black car sat

man had stood there for quite a while in a stylish black suit and combed hair, accentuating his good looks. He could

he had been anticipating finally

sight of Anastasia staring back at him too. Witnessing the man’s charisma

blatantly see that the look in her eyes was full of love and care

frustrated at the sight of this. Hmph, I’m also dressed to the

once hoped she

was worthy of

as if the heavens had decided they were a pair from the start and

was still devastating to him, even though he already

not jealous of them. Rather, he truly wished them happiness, as the thing he hoped to see the

today, was being led by Elliot into the main

did she finally turn back and see Nigel. She

somewhat bitterly, Nigel replied, “You finally

admiring the woman who was soon to be his fiancee. He also showed what it meant for one’s mind to be

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

“Nigel, you wouldn’t understand this

her mouth, as did Nigel, while thinking about

Inside the venue hall.

the whole thing was decorated in teal and sky blue, making it seem very simple

scene, making the venue have a slight flowery

waiting room by the side, Anastasia finally remembered about the watch,

nodded. “Yup. It’s 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 bring me luck and

with him. “Your

gaze wavered at this, as it was this precise watch that attracted Hayley,

as a gift from his grandmother

indeed lucky since

and they entered the room later, accompanied by

The little child stared at Anastasia. He thought that this was the prettiest he had ever seen his mother and that she looked like

Anastasia hit his head dotingly. “Thank

am! I can finally call Mr. Presgrave as ‘Daddy’!” Jared

his words. “Yup. He’s your daddy from now

was slowly passing by, with Francis sitting right in front of the hall in a suit, looking elegant. He did not know how to

blood would truly love him and that he would spend the rest of his life making it up to

the others, he did not want nor

daughter, Brenda, walked over and said,

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

wishing for

have!” Harriet

6.50 pm, so there were just two