Never Too Far Novel

“I’m hungry!” Sophia felt a growl in her stomach.

She left her room and looked at the decorations on the walls as she walked down the hall. This place used to be a bar. The bar’s decor had a somber atmosphere that mingled with the gloomy lighting to produce an odd and unsettling ambiance. As she was a bit scared, she walked slowly toward the stairs.

Sophia made her way down the spiral staircase; she saw that the whole space was brightly lit. A man, who sat elegantly amidst the lights, seemed to be passing the time by drinking wine.

She was mesmerized by his refined stature and felt captivated by his sophisticated elegance.

His black satin suit had golden embroidery and it sparkled like diamonds while the gentle light enhanced his charm and charisma.

Sophia’s heart sank because she realized how difficult it would be to win over this man’s affections.

She let out a long, deep breath. If she doesn’t return the pendant after a year, she may have to pay the price with her life. So, she decided to just go with the flow for the time being.

Sophia approached Arthur while smiling. “Have you guys eaten? Want to eat together?”

He gave her a passing look. “Without my consent, you are not permitted to leave here.”

“But I’m starving.” She blinked.

“From now on, you must do what I say.” He was determined to make her suffer.

Sophia was stunned for a moment and felt helpless. Even though she knew it was almost impossible for Arthur to fall in love with her, she decided to try anyway.

She had no other options left. Her bestie told her that she had searched the hotel room thoroughly, but the pendant was still nowhere to be found.

“Fine. I’ll listen. I won’t eat.” As soon as she sat down, her stomach started to grumble.

Sophia, who was blushing, instinctively covered her stomach while staring at the man.

The man’s eyebrow, which was really attractive, furrowed into a scowl at her.

In spite of this, her stomach continued to grumble and she was determined to follow Arthur’s orders. After letting out a sigh, she began talking to herself or rather, to her stomach. “Quiet down, please! Mr. Weiss said that I am not allowed to eat any food! Let’s wait and see. He might show mercy at some point.”

The bodyguards beside them were holding back their laughter.

“Tell your stomach that food is off-limits tonight,” Arthur remarked, not amused.

“You’ll lose a servant if I suffer from starvation.” Sophia gave a serious answer.

“It’s not like I just have one maid.”

“So, you’ve decided to give up on the pendant now, right? The only one who knows where it is now is myself. You’re going to starve me? Really?” She was trying to save herself by uttering such words.

A lack of compassion was obvious on Arthur’s face.

She had no other options left. Her bestie told her that she had searched the hotel room thoroughly, but the pendant was still nowhere to be found.

“I haven’t eaten anything since getting on the plane. In fact, I’ve gone two days without eating.” Sophia continued her talk.

Arthur looked directly into her pitiful eyes as if he had found something entertaining. “Then, you might as well try to go without food for three days as a challenge.”

Beautiful men are born sadistic, Sophia screamed inside her heart. This is absolutely true.

“Can I drink water then?”

“I just have wine here.” He was clearly teasing her.

She was really thirsty, so she nodded and then said, “Can I have a glass, please?”

He poured her a glass of wine.

She reached for the glass and gave it a lick, just like a puppy, to have a taste of what was within. The sweetness of it caused her to continue drinking it all at once, drawing the attention of the man who stared at her with narrowed eyes.

She hiccupped and her cheeks were rosy from drinking.

“Would you like some more?” Arthur smirked.

She shook her hand. “No, it’s not very tasty.”

The bodyguard was taken aback by her answer. It’s a fine wine that costs 50,000, yet she says it’s not tasty? What a waste.

Sophia stood up right away and felt the sky was spinning in front of her. She was tumbling toward Arthur; she was not sure if it was because she was too hungry or due to her consumption of alcohol.

Even the bodyguard couldn’t stop Sophia from falling into Arthur’s embrace with his quick movements.

Before Arthur realized it, he had a girl nestled in his arms. She rested her head on his chest and her arms wrapped around his neck.

“Master.” The bodyguard tried to pull her away from Arthur, knowing that he despised any woman who approached him.

“Don’t touch me.” Even though she was drowsy, she hadn’t lost consciousness yet and growled at the bodyguard.

Arthur glared at the bodyguard and motioned for him to leave before he removed Sophia’s arms from his neck. She immediately cuddled him again.

“Hands off, Sophia Goodwin,” he warned as he had never been a fan of such intimate encounters.

She would undoubtedly fall if she let go of him due to her being drowsy. He lowered his head, and they were so close to each other that their gazes locked.

Sophia’s most beautiful feature since she was a child had always been her eyes, with bright pupils that shone like black pearls, illuminating beneath them. When she smiled, her eyes resembled the crescent moon.

Since they were at such a close proximity, Arthur was staring intently into her lovely eyes. They were as clear and captivating as they had always been, making his heart skip a beat.

At this point, she beamed at him, as her black pearly eyes were shaped into two crescent moons. One could never get bored of the innocence that danced in her eyes.

The bodyguard standing next to them was taken aback. He’d never seen his master stare at a woman for so long, and folks of the opposite gender would always maintain a distance of three feet away from him, let alone hug him.

While Sophia was still smiling, she was abruptly shoved aside and fell to the ground before moaning, “Ouch!”

“Don’t approach me without my permission next time,” Arthur said coldly, as he used his masculine hand to dust off his coat as though he was repulsed by her touching him.

He couldn’t care less about Sophia’s distressed expression. “Go back to your room.”

She rose to her feet with difficulty since she was dizzy before returning to her room. She prayed for her well-being in the coming year after witnessing the man’s ruthlessness.

Over the weekend, Elliot and Jared were playing soccer early in the morning at home. A woman smiled as she watched the two figures running and listened to the child’s boisterous laughter while she arranged flowers in the hall.

Since Anastasia did not have a suitable candidate as her bridesmaid, three young girls from the Presgrave Family were chosen for her by Old Madam Presgrave. As Elliot was the oldest, these young women in their early twenties addressed her as Miss Anastasia. Yesterday, when the four of them had their meal, they bonded immediately.

The bodyguard standing next to them was taken aback. He’d never seen his master stare at a woman for so long, and folks of the opposite gender would always maintain a distance of three feet away from him, let alone hug him.

The Presgraves’ girls had always acted with the utmost etiquette and grace throughout due to strict family rules and upstanding parenting.

Anastasia, who will soon have the same status as Old Madam Presgrave, was highly respected as the Young Mistress of the Presgrave Family. In the future, she would have the authority to make all household decisions.

Until the wedding preparations began, she had no idea about her status as the Young Mistress of the Presgrave Family. Although being a mistress would give her the most power, the family still adhered to many of its traditional rules. The Presgrave Family resembled a large tree with branches reaching out to thousands of close relatives.

Since the wedding preparations were almost finished, Anastasia took the opportunity to learn up on some of the necessary skills befitting for a mistress, such as flower arrangement, which was both rejuvenating and elegant.

“Mrs. Presgrave, you really do have an artistic eye. This arrangement is very appealing,” praised the floral art instructor.

“Thank you.” Anastasia smiled. Since young, she always had a natural flair for art, which explained why she had learned things up quickly because she liked beautiful things.

At that moment, Anastasia’s phone rang. After a glimpse at it, she said to her instructor, “Please excuse me for a moment.”

“Hello, Dad,” she answered as she picked up the phone and moved to the side.

“The final verdict is out. Erica will be imprisoned for fifteen years.” Francis’ voice could be heard on the other end of the line.

She consoled her father and said, “Don’t be sad, Dad. She should face the consequences for her actions. Naomi may not have taught her, but someone else now has to.”

“I’m perfectly fine. I’m only calling to let you know about it since her biological father has also been sentenced to eight years.”

Anastasia consoled her father again, knowing that he was still in sorrow over Erica’s imprisonment. Despite the fact that Erica was not his biological child, he treated Francis as if she were.

be announced tomorrow. Given the amount of monetary stakes, a severe penalty

in prison with the imprisonment

overjoyed to be

splash around in the water and celebrate the upcoming

packed their bags in the bar because they

belongings. She knew Arthur was going to attend a wedding, so

occasionally glanced over at the man in a lavish suit on the other end of the liner. She didn’t dare to act rashly after being pushed by Arthur the day before. He always maintained an aloof demeanor, as if warning them not to

horizon two hours later. The lush greenery, the bright sun, and the long

island, she exclaimed softly, “This island is so

her with her luggage. She couldn’t wait to get to the beach and

play for a while before returning?” she asked

a flat refusal from the man. He wouldn’t let her do anything she wanted because tormenting her was the source of his

bodyguards packed their bags in the bar because they were traveling to the island

long face because she had to follow him into the car while looking back at the lovely beach. Arthur was the owner of one of the villas there, so Sophia was to stay in the same villa

on this island without my permission,” he said, sitting on the couch and

legs. His haughty expression was drawing a line of

his side and losing all of her freedom. It was unfair because

alone and dazed

two handsome men having a casual conversation like

a beautiful painting. Many guests of the Presgrave Family

after a series of questions and had no

beach, Anastasia was accompanying Jared holding a basket full of beautiful shells. She joined the ‘treasure’ hunt, as

Isn’t it pretty?” He picked up another

“Yeah. You’re much better at searching

decorate her house with them. I should find more.” The boy

Anastasia nodded. “Okay.”

touch

on the island were busy preparing for the wedding and providing their best

moored by the shore, after which a sexily dressed girl disembarked the ship. Scanning the scenic area,

Mason’s younger sister, Katrina, who had never expected the service would be so perfect. As long as their names were on the

to say, she had her own purpose for attending

the sky darkened, the island was illuminated

with Harriet while

without Jared, who was tired after playing the whole

by the night sky was serene. Elliot had no

moon. Compared to daylight, the night view was

was performing in front of the guests and employees. With

that some of them were spectating something. Curious, she took hold

the sky darkened, the island was illuminated with

one who had taken the spotlight was a girl rocking along the rhythm. Her bold moves displayed her perfect curves, showing no sort of embarrassment. Needless

who the girl was. It was Katrina, a model who was adept at dancing. Still, her dancing appeared

she spotted Anastasia as well as the handsome Elliot from the crowd. Twisting and turning her body, she glided over and halted before them. Like a snake, she was flexing her flexibility with slithering movements in front of

toward Anastasia and clung onto her

was not foreign to Katrina’s energetic soul, for she knew the girl’s character better than anyone else. Although Katrina was a materialistic girl, Anastasia’s contemporary perception of Katrina had

been a while,” greeted Anastasia

Elliot. “Anastasia, who’s this handsome guy standing next to

introduced Anastasia, who was assaulted by a

Katrina Sullivan, Anastasia’s best friend.”

to meet you too.” Elliot nodded in

been alluring to the eyes. Like an invisible hook, it kept trying to catch hold

hope you enjoy your stay here.” Anastasia removed Katrina’s hand from hers. “I have to

An awkward Katrina withdrew her hands before looking at Elliot, who had turned around. She was

rich guys had a rather unbridled indulgence for woman and sex. As long as one could pique their interest, they wouldn’t let the chance slip

As expected of the perfect man, he can make anyone fall for him with that looks, body and domineering aura. Back then, Anastasia insisted on keeping the baby no matter what. Is it because

by Anastasia’s scheme—leveraging her kid to

moves while loafing about with Elliot. That twisting body and seductive gaze of hers were a deadly weapon that could

take pleasure

sister,” a vexed Anastasia

as he had an insight of her thoughts. “Are you

dance?” She cocked

know that it was a fatal

since she had witnessed how Katrina gave

isn’t Mason’s sister, I wouldn’t have allowed such a person to attend our wedding.” The disgust in his eyes

she realized that Elliot found Katrina’s dance to be

take a look.” Anastasia pulled his hand to lead

scheme—leveraging her kid to marry a rich

the villa and reached Sophia’s ears. They were prompting her to head

she wished, she also didn’t want to waste

went to where the music came from. Unbeknownst to the poor girl, Arthur actually returned

perverse woman. How dare she go out without my permission! Hmph! Sophia Goodwin, you’re going to

chairs prepared under the lights. She took a seat before a waiter

were having fun. Despite her quiet disposition, one of them was immediately

tresses were revealed, exuding an enigmatic

Hanging out alone? Mind if I have a drink

head to look at the handsome man before smiling. “Suit

Jacob. What

wasn’t shy

though the wedding was strictly hidden from the public eyes, everyone knew that the Presgrave Family was the richest family in the country. Just entering its name into the search engine was enough to know how wealthy they were. Similarly, the invited guests were surely

and Jacob really clicked right from the start, especially after knowing that they had graduated from the same high school. Time flew by as they were engrossed in

feet

early. It’s almost

been out for more than an hour? I gotta go now. Let’s talk next time, Jacob.”

curious, for the guests were

the right words to describe it as she

was nonplussed by the unfamiliar environment again. Which way leads

where Villa No. 58

quite far, though. I’ll lead the way.” Jacob was willing to help a beautiful and adorable girl

route was deserted,

his eyes showed infatuation for her, Sophia was so dense that she deemed it as his outgoing personality. The guests are nice. It’s probably they’re having a blast

for sending me all the way here, Jacob.

you

“Tomorrow—”

We can have a cup of coffee together

Sophia wouldn’t reject someone

in the darkness at the balcony on the second floor. Due to the quiet

was nonplussed by the unfamiliar environment again. Which way leads to Arthur’s

tomorrow.” Jacob took a few steps

She stretched out her hand to hold him and

a wry smile. “Sorry for scaring

a smile. “Watch out.

Bye.” He waved his hands and left despite the

around, only to find the doors were closed, but she neither had the card nor the

inside?” Her face scrunched up in distress, causing the man

Are you

in a black pajamas with a glass of

Weiss, could

the door frame, he gazed at her through the glass. “Mind telling me who allowed you to

sorry.” Sophia

come in or go anywhere without my orders.” Arthur’s icy tone indicated that it wasn’t a

summer was coming, it would be very cold at midnight. She was already

Young Master Weiss. Please forgive me this one time! I promise that I’ll listen to you from now on.” She raised her hand to promise the moon and the sky in her attempt to convince him

that bad. You managed to seduce someone by just heading outside once.” He made

the same school, that’s why. He sent me home because I didn’t know the way back. It’s nothing like

wouldn’t go easy on girls, couldn’t care less about it. No one could ever persuade or dissuade him on something once he had made up his mind. “Enjoy your stay outside.

were vaguely discernible due to its thin fabric. In addition to his tall stature, he exuded a domineering aura

in a state of mind to drool over such a pleasing sight. While he walked to the parlor, her face contorted in displeasure

squeaky cry of a bird and the sight of a cat fleeting from out of nowhere pierced through the silent air. Under such circumstances,

The exquisite yet minimalistic interior filled

he smiled lightly while undoing the button’s on his

dipped herself into the bathtub. “I’m not done

“Let’s shower together, sweetheart.”

say that we’re running out

a shoulder massage since it’s been a tiring day for you.” He approached closer with a sinister

against the man whom she had fallen deeply in love with. Even if she was all in, she couldn’t help

but the night wasn’t as serene as one expected. Sometimes, a squeaky cry of a bird and the sight of a cat fleeting from out of nowhere pierced through the silent air. Under such circumstances, a

No. 58. It was already midnight and the temperature had dropped. No matter how much she tried to endure the cold by hugging

couldn’t sleep in his comfortable and warm room, for his mind kept thinking