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.

verdict would also be announced tomorrow. Given the amount of monetary stakes, a severe penalty was unavoidable. Karma had finally

announced that Hayley Seymour would be sentenced to 18 years in prison with the imprisonment happening thereafter. On that

old age, Harriet was overjoyed to be able to attend her

arrived at the venue before the big day. They could splash around in the water and celebrate the

in the bar because they were traveling to the island for

going to attend a wedding, so she packed a few sets of vacation clothes

in a daze. She 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

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

she exclaimed

from the ship, the bodyguard assisted her with her luggage. She couldn’t wait to get to the beach

while before returning?” she asked

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

their bags in the bar because they were traveling to the island for the wedding

Arthur was the

he said, sitting on the couch and

was drawing a line of supremacy between

increasingly aware of her low social standing. She regretted having pawned herself by being by his side and losing all of

was left alone and

afternoon sun glistened on two handsome men having a casual conversation like

a beautiful painting. Many guests of the Presgrave Family were present, and they were intrigued by the

discovered the stranger was Elliot’s friend after a series of questions and had no idea where he

of beautiful shells. She joined the ‘treasure’ hunt, as though she

it pretty?” He picked up another

“Yeah. You’re much better at searching than

ornaments out of these, so she can decorate her house with them. I should find more.” The boy

Anastasia nodded. “Okay.”

with the warm touch of the sunlight was one of the wonderful things one could

island were busy preparing for the wedding and providing their best service to

a sexily dressed girl disembarked the ship. Scanning the scenic area, she couldn’t hide the

so perfect. As long as their names were on the guest list, they had the privilege to arrive

to say, she had her own purpose for attending Anastasia’s wedding. Elliot’s social circle was

island was illuminated with lights like a celestial castle levitating above

with Harriet while listening to the concierge’s report on the

in the vicinity without Jared, who was tired after playing the whole

the cafe, the vast sea that was hovered by the night sky was serene. Elliot had no time to spare during the day, so he spent the

crescent moon. Compared to daylight, the night

of the guests and employees. With over a hundred people, the revel was

Curious, she took

the sky darkened, the island was illuminated

was revealed that the one who had taken the spotlight was a girl rocking along the rhythm. Her bold

recognized who the girl was. It was Katrina, a model who was adept at dancing.

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

then that she moved toward Anastasia and clung onto

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 changed as the soon-to-be Mrs.

it’s been a while,”

eyes at Elliot. “Anastasia, who’s this handsome

Anastasia, who was assaulted by a sense

I’m Katrina

to meet you too.” Elliot nodded

invisible hook, it kept trying to catch hold of his attention since it

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

Elliot, who had turned around.

her dancing, not even Elliot. From her point of view, rich guys had a rather

a smile crept up her lips. Elliot Presgrave. As expected of the perfect man, he can make anyone fall for

deeply impressed by Anastasia’s scheme—leveraging

repeating Katrina’s amazing dance moves while loafing about with Elliot. That twisting body and seductive gaze of hers were a deadly weapon that could draw every

Katrina very well as Katrina used to take pleasure

Katrina, Mason’s twin sister,” a vexed

insight of her thoughts. “Are

think of her dance?” She cocked her head at

was sharp enough to know that it was a fatal question. “Regardless, her character is

further since she had witnessed how Katrina gave him hints a

wouldn’t have allowed such a person to

realized that Elliot found Katrina’s dance to be

look.” Anastasia pulled his hand to

Anastasia’s scheme—leveraging her

Sophia’s ears. They were prompting her

did she have legs that could bring her anywhere she wished, she also didn’t want to waste the night spent on such a beautiful island. With hindsight, she left

any sense of direction at the unfamiliar place, she simply went to where the music came from. Unbeknownst to the poor girl, Arthur actually returned the

without my permission! Hmph! Sophia Goodwin, you’re going to get it from me once you

the beach, she saw the chairs prepared under the

ordered a glass of juice and turned to look at the people who were having fun.

lights shining upon her, her surreal features adorned with long tresses were revealed,

Mind if I have a drink with

head to look at the handsome man

Jacob. What

wasn’t shy to

search engine was enough to know how wealthy they were. Similarly, the invited guests were surely from high society. Thus, Sophia wouldn’t mind the idea of getting to know

graduated from the same high school. Time flew by as they were engrossed in

to her feet abruptly.

still early. It’s

I’ve been out for more than an hour? I gotta go now. Let’s

was curious, for the guests were allowed

back earlier.” She couldn’t find the right words to describe it as she had no right to attend the wedding in

nonplussed by the unfamiliar environment again.

No. 58 is?” questioned the distraught

lead the way.” Jacob was

was deserted, so she

Although his eyes showed infatuation for her, Sophia was so dense that she deemed it as his outgoing personality. The guests

they arrived at Villa No. 58, she thanked him, “Thank you for sending me all the

I see you tomorrow too?” Jacob

“Tomorrow—”

don’t we exchange our numbers? We can have a

someone who had

them, someone was hiding in the darkness at the balcony on the second

her head, she was nonplussed by the unfamiliar environment again. Which way leads

you tomorrow.” Jacob took a few steps back and almost stumbled

out her hand to hold him

let out a wry smile. “Sorry for scaring

with a smile. “Watch

waved his hands and left despite the heavy

a deep breath and wheeled around, only to find the doors were closed, but she neither had the card nor the password to open

face scrunched up in distress, causing the man to snigger

Master Weiss! Are you in there?” she shouted at the

black pajamas with a glass of wine in

upon seeing him. “Young Master Weiss, could you open the

the glass. “Mind telling me who allowed you to go outside

Sophia

not allowed to come in or go

in shock. Even if summer was coming, it would be very cold at midnight. She was already feeling the chills right now, so how was

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 into forgiving

by just heading outside once.”

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

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

skin, his toned abs were vaguely discernible due to its thin fabric. In

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

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 poor Sophia curled herself on

matrimonial house. The exquisite yet minimalistic interior filled the place with

the running water, he smiled lightly while undoing the button’s on his shirt before opening the door to the

dipped herself

“Let’s shower together, sweetheart.”

running out of

a shoulder massage since it’s been a tiring day for you.”

ignited ardently after having quelled for so long. She knew that she stood no chance against the man whom she had fallen deeply in love with. Even if she was all in,

and the sight of a cat fleeting from out of nowhere pierced through the silent air. Under such circumstances, a poor Sophia

asleep on a bench placed outside of Villa No. 58. It was already midnight and the temperature had dropped. No matter how much she tried to

and warm room, for his mind kept thinking about the girl, who