Never Too Far Novel

Anastasia walked backstage to greet Felicia. After all, Felicia and her design team were the stars of the product launch party.

“Your designs are so beautiful this time, Felicia,” Anastasia commented as she flipped through the art book. Everything in there was well-designed.

“I hope we didn’t disappoint you.” In Felicia’s mind, Anastasia was the boss.

“I believe in you, Felicia.”

“Anastasia.” Suddenly, a lady called out from behind them before Katrina swiftly moved to stand behind Anastasia.

“Katrina,” Anastasia greeted with a smile.

“Do you mind if we talk in private?” Katrina nervously asked. She currently found it hard to talk to Anastasia because she exuded an oppressive pressure that Katrina did not like.

Felicia gently patted Anastasia on the cheeks. “I’ll help the team out now, Anastasia.”

The moment Felicia was gone, Katrina took a deep breath. “I know Bourgeois is looking for a spokesperson for their product. I was hoping I could have a chance to be in your advertisements.”

“That is up to marketing. You can attend the interviews for the job.” Anastasia smiled.

Katrina bit her lip. “Anastasia, can you make an exception for me just this once? Please? My brother helped you all those years, after all.”

Naturally, Anastasia knew exactly what Katrina was thinking. The woman wanted compensation for Mason’s help all those years and if the one making the request had been Mason, she would have gone along with the plan before asking about why.

When Anastasia remained silent, Katrina continued, “I know I should not be greedy and take advantage of something owed to someone else, but we are like a family. Can’t you make an exception?”

Anastasia knew that Mason was not someone to ask for reparations either. “I’ll have to ask the team about it. I’ll let you know when I have news.”

“Thank you, Anastasia.” Katrina smiled. When Anastasia left, she let out a sigh of relief. Her brother would not ask for anything in return because he was a proud man, but she was not like him.

She would use anything she could to help herself since she was not doing well as a model. If she wanted to become a celebrity, she would have to be famous first.

When Anastasia returned to her seat, Elliot was chatting with Larry, who then stood up the moment he noticed her return. The show started the moment she returned.

Lights beamed down onto the stage as masked models strutted while decked out in jewelry made by Bourgeois. Naturally, Katrina was one of the models. She had all her attention focused on doing the best she could. However, when she walked by, she would stare at Elliot.

Anastasia noticed it, of course. She knew what kind of woman Katrina was. As long as there was an opportunity, Katrina would do anything to seduce someone.

Before the show, Anastasia had been contemplating giving her a chance because of her connection to Mason. Now, however, all of those thoughts had been chucked out of the window.

“I have to answer a call, sweetheart,” Elliot softly said.

She merely nodded in response as she was engrossed in the show. Then, just as he stood up, one of the female celebrities stood up as well. Although she left in the opposite direction, the corridors outside the hall were all interconnected.

That celebrity had been waiting for her chance. Using the excuse that she had to head to the bathroom, she walked out of the hall. When she eventually made her way over to the other side, she saw Elliot taking a phone call while standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

Elliot was like a magnet that attracted the gaze of every woman present that evening. No matter where he stood, he would become the center of attention.

After all, he was a man whom people rarely saw. Any woman with brain cells would know not to waste any opportunity that came along.

The celebrity’s name was Cathryn Windsor. She was considered one of the most popular celebrities of the year due to a popular show that had recently aired. Due to her fame, she had recently been announced as the spokesperson for Bourgeois’ new products.

However, her ambitions did not end there. She wanted a strong and powerful benefactor, someone like Elliot Pregrave, who stood at the top of the food chain.

Elliot ended the call and turned to return to the event hall. At the same time, she pretended to be busy talking on the phone and acted as if she did not see him there. When she crashed into him, he reached a hand out to her shoulder to stop her from falling to the ground.

Cathryn hastily apologized, “I’m sorry, President Presgrave. I didn’t see you there. This is all my fault!” She then reached out and patted his arm. “I hope I didn’t hurt you!”

Elliot waved his hand and answered, “It’s fine.”

“Oh, sorry about the lipstick stain on your suit. Let me take care of it.” Rather than removing the stain off his arm, she tried to reach out to stroke his chest after saying that.

His arm prevented her attempt right away, and he said in an icy tone, “No need.”

Cathryn let out a frustrated sigh as soon as Elliot walked away. She saw this as an opportunity to stimulate his interest in her. No one could approach him because he behaved in a way that was true with what she had heard about him.

Why was he married if he didn’t like women?

Right after Cathryn left, Felica came out from around the corner. She had just come out from the bathroom when she saw this scene, and she thought it would taint her sight for the day.

She wasn’t often the kind to pry into other people’s business, but she felt it was necessary to alert Anastasia about this. If an actress went out of her way to try to seduce Elliot, then she was not the best choice to represent Bourgeois as a spokesperson.

Anastasia’s phone lit up with texts. She checked it and saw it was a text message from Felicia.

‘I just saw Cathryn trying to flirt with your husband in the hallway, Anastasia. You should take note.’

She read the text calmly and her eyes went to where Cathryn should have been. There was no one there.

‘Thank you, Felicia,’ Anastasia replied graciously. At this moment, Elliot had returned and his large hand went out to grasp hers with the intention to caress it.

She then raised her head to meet his gaze. Despite the dim lighting, the man’s eyes gleamed with affection. When she noticed this, she smiled sweetly and kissed his cheek, showing her affection in public.

Cathryn happened to see their affections as she was going back to her seat. She started to feel a little scared as she thought about the foolish thing she had just done. She was worried that Anastasia wouldn’t let her off the hook if she knew about the flirting earlier.

She was glad Anastasia didn’t know about it.

Who would know what Anastasia knew, though?

When Elliot saw just how bold she was to kiss him in public like this, he gave her a contented smile that made her heart flutter.

Her face started to blush as she felt the gazes of everyone on them. Her confession of love for this man was publicized.

This was a warning for anyone who wanted to take him away from her.

The press conference went smoothly while the online media reaction was spectacular. A great deal of support and encouragement was shown to them with some exceptional items being promoted as well…

After they left the conference, Elliot took her to a posh restaurant for dinner. Tonight was the night of their date.

In addition to that, he had another surprise in store for her. He was pleased to get the most beautiful brooch that was being offered at the event, and he planned to give it to her as a present tonight.

“Oh! When did you get this?” Anastasia was a little surprised, but she was excited that he had just given her something out of the blue.

“It looks good on you,” he told her, praising both the brooch and her.

Anastasia took the gift as Elliot placed his chin on his folded palms and looked at her affectionately. “Since you accepted my gift, Mrs Presgrave has to reward me tonight.”.

“Oh! So, there’s a secret motive here!” Anastasia’s eyes narrowed as she said, “I think I need to pay closer attention to what’s going on around me. I can’t always be fooled by you.”

Elliot kept looking at her with love in his eyes and told her, “I wouldn’t care how stupid you are because you still have me wrapped around your fingers.”

Was he calling her stupid?

She protested, “I’m not stupid. I’m actually quite clever.”

“You are correct. My wife is the most clever woman alive,” he said as his grin grew more endearing. It was as if he would never get tired of flirting with her in this manner.

How could Anastasia continue to fight after noticing that he was being affectionate with her? At this moment, he continued to fill her plate with food. “Sweetheart, you need to eat more in order to have enough energy tonight.”

This caused her to quickly blush. “Is that all you can think about?!”

“Is there anything else?” Elliot closed his eyes and seemed to be thinking about what he was going to say. Then, he said, “I don’t want anything else tonight except you.”

After hearing this, Anastasia didn’t waste any time in lowering her head to start eating, and this man immediately began piling more meat onto her plate. Why did it seem as if he was feeding her to be slaughtered later that night?

The next Monday, there was a meeting at Bourgeois in the morning.

Anastasia sat at the chief designer’s seat and she was dressed in a beige suit with her hair tied back. This gave her delicate and lovely face a natural and tidy appearance.

The first topic she wanted to discuss with everyone today was the termination of Cathryn’s endorsement contract that was recently signed.

“President Tillman, we just invested 10 million dollars on her. If we break our contract with her, we have to compensate her for liquidated damages.”

When Anastasia heard that, her eyes turned cold. “Then, you should figure out how to avoid compensating her for terminating the contract.”

Everyone cringed at this statement. They initially thought that she was more pleasant, but they certainly never expected her to throw such a serious challenge at them on her first day.

“President Tillman, may I know the reason why you are terminating Cathryn’s contract?”

“I don’t like her,” Anastasia answered bluntly as she elegantly twirled her long hair around her finger.

Her response was both arrogant and straightforward.

“President Tillman, I understand. I’ll take care of it right away. We will have to discuss our new spokesperson after launching the new product at the conference. Do you have any recommendations?”

“You may suggest a few for me to select from,” she replied.

Felicia was the only one aware of the rationale for her decision.

Anastasia asked Felicia to stay. “Felicia, please remain. The rest of you may return to work!”

at Anastasia with admiration in the meeting

expressed her appreciation. “Felicia, thank you for

Of course, Cathryn isn’t the first woman to openly flirt with President Presgrave.

“It wouldn’t upset me if I didn’t know about it, but I’ll take action if I

phone call came into Cathryn’s office from Bourgeois’ advertising and planning department to inform her agent that

has

decision was made

boss is Vice-president Young, correct? He was there when the contract

it’s our big

your big boss?” the

Presgrave’s wife, has taken over as president of Bourgeois Jewelry

who quickly responded, “If you do this, you will be in breach of contract! Bourgeois would be obliged to pay liquidated damages in this manner! This is definitely something that we do not want to happen. We also wish to continue working with you for a long

fulfilled the conditions, we have the right to terminate the

engaged in a lengthy discussion, but Cathryn’s agent was

involved in any scandals recently? You were dismissed by Bourgeois due to your indecent

is clean. How could they treat me like this?” Cathryn was filled with resentment, believing

boss’ decision to call it off. Did you offend her in any

“You mean, Vice-president Young?”

current president of Bourgeois. Out of so many people, why would

back as her guilt gnawed away at her. It couldn’t have been because she tried to seduce Elliot in the hallway that

She eventually got a hold of Anastasia’s general

of coffee. She had just finished reviewing her upcoming schedule and was

this moment, her office phone began to ring, and she reached

manager. I’m sorry to bother you, President Tillman, but I have to clarify something. The popularity and reputation of our artists are great, so I’d like to know exactly what it is about our artists that does

doing in the hallway on the day of the press conference.

that, she slammed the phone right

President Tillman on the day of the press conference?” Georgina questioned Cathryn, who

I

me the

grasped the severity of the matter and quickly elaborated, “I saw Elliot answering the phone in the hallway the other day. I simply

with Elliot! His wife was there at the press conference! Do you even have a brain?!” Georgina was

realize I’m

what Anastasia just said to me? She threatened to throw you out of the industry if this happened again!” Georgina scolded, “Out of everyone, the person whom you’ve chosen to upset was Elliot

powerful?”

Forget about the compensation. Do you understand? The next time you see her, move out

for so long in Bourgeois, she was still full of enthusiasm. After a short break, she quickly drafted another schedule. She was a member of the company’s design team in terms of jewelry design, which meant that she could also make

time, there was a knock at the door and Mason entered after opening it. “President Tillman, are

a smile since he was

formalities after we get off work,” he insisted. Then, he sat on the chair opposite from her and asked, “I’m just wondering whether the

here for Katrina. After giving it some thought, “Mason, you’ve been kind to me. If you really want to recommend your

knew it.

hope she establishes a reputation elsewhere.” Mason expressed his concern for

of organizing the event to allow her to promote our brand.” Anastasia gave

words, he let out a long sigh of relief. There was no denying the fact that Katrina had exerted

help. I had to do

them to make some arrangements. As

knocked on again

she thought it was her assistant, Grace, bringing in documents, but it was a

with a smile

Anastasia

her and drew her into a hug before lowering his head and kissing her crimson lips. “I’m here to

soon as she realized that her window shutters were open, her face became

didn’t seem to

simply allowed him to do what he wanted. After all, she had to admit that

like a massage from your husband?” he asked in a hushed

shifted her head to look at him with eyes that sparkled with

content when he saw how happy she was. Then, he acknowledged, “You can

scrunched up her nose playfully and replied, “I know, I know!

two steps back before checking her

observed her in this manner because it made her feel like he was admiring a piece of art. “What are

before he said, “Your outfit is making me

gaze at him. “Do not

he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Does this mean I can do

happy in her heart that he wanted her so much. Then, she said in a low voice,

himself and took a seat before he gracefully crossed his long and

then did Anastasia realize the reason

be so easily

we had a little chat,”

he heard this, his eyes lit up with jealousy. “What did

to secure an endorsement contract for

he heard

got up, closed the shutters, walked over to him, and sat on

that she took the initiative, it caught him

She had learned certain skills from him and now, she was going to

her kissing him and placed his arms around her waist. She withdrew just as he was going to get more and she whispered in

affectionate gaze. Then, he wrapped his arms tightly around her and said,

as Anastasia was about to move away from his lap, he quickly

were still flushed from initiating the kiss, but the man won’t

grasped the back of her head and gave her

affections for her grew

to give Anastasia some important documents, so she rushed

face blushed due to

scene inside the room was not appropriate for

pushed the man away and Elliot left with

her lips. “Do not tell anyone what

looked like she had changed her mind about Anastasia,

dare to. Don’t worry,

just returned and was making her way toward the entrance of the ward

not repay them, you will have no other option. We need to think

what it takes. If there’s nothing else I can

you’re gone? The York Family was interested in our Sophia and is willing to pay off your

fled the country.” Drake was distressed on

get that money? Whatever it is, I wouldn’t let you head back

as long as I agree to marry Christopher,

fled to avoid their marriage the last time, he still wanted her. Now that his family

pushed open the door and interrupted the arguing couple. “Dad, Mom, I’ve heard everything, so you can stop arguing now. I’ll do it. I’ll

“Sophia!”

their daughter’s determined face as they

pay Dad’s debts; as long as Dad doesn’t go to jail, I’m

know that her

there’s no rush—” Drake was about

marry Christopher. I’m okay,”

the table before turning to leave the ward. Outside, she found Christopher’s

gruff male voice sounded. “Hello, who is

“I’m Sophia Goodwin.”

really you? My dream girl has finally decided to reach out to me!” The voice on the other end was

but can you really help my father

me, your father will be like my own father. I will help him pay off his

find a time

up to you. I am abroad now. I’ll come back on Friday, and I’ll pick you up when

“Great!”

sighed as Arthur’s face

a resort abroad, Christopher was basking his 200-pound body in

York, are you really going to marry Sophia Goodwin

payment first. After she marries me, she’ll be my wife. By then, she’ll have to listen to me. Then, it’d be up to me to decide whether I really finish paying off her father’s debt or not,” Christopher explained

to the women’s prison in Averna. A woman who was wiping the greasy table top raised her head and looked up at the people who were swarming in for lunch. Then, she stopped wiping and looked carefully before she quickly turned

was in a gray scrub and had her hair trimmed to her ears. She had been here for almost a month now and had nearly

the same haircut as Hayley and wore the same clothes, so it was obvious that Erica was sent to serve in

was forced to eat things she had never eaten before.

to her. Although she had gone

to spend the second half of her life here as she was serving over ten years of imprisonment. Erica was quietly eating her rock-solid steamed buns and some rancid noodles when she heard a sharp voice yelling, “Hayley, what are you doing? Get back

looked in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar figure. Although the woman had deliberately

Hayley was despicable and shameless. She had blatantly stolen Erica’s man and fed her with negative thoughts

Hayley had her head lowered in an attempt to avoid Erica recognizing her. However, at this moment, she turned around when she heard the approaching footsteps and a bowl of cold soup was

open her eyes when she was slapped hard

slap wasn’t enough, Erica started screaming while reaching out to pull her hair.

officers came over at this moment to

filled with disgust as she wiped her face. As she had

It’s disgusting!” Erica sat down and

that she and Elliot are married? She is also the eldest daughter of the Tillman Family. As

lips. Of course, she couldn’t tell Hayley how she really felt because of her envy toward Anastasia. However, right now, she couldn’t even have the freedom she desired the most. What was the

ruined. None of us will live a good life,” Hayley continued as she sat across

darkened at the sound of this. Her parents were jailed and she herself was imprisoned. At the end

was filled with remorse. If she had been given another chance, she would have never destroyed herself to this extent. She would find an average man to marry, have a child

no use regretting,” Hayley commented as if she could read Erica’s

still have no idea how you got

hiding it from Emily. For her, those days were the happiest time of

Then, the waiter contacted me and gave me that watch.” Hayley clearly remembered the day when Elliot came to her store to look for her. He was dignified and exuded

widened as she prodded,

sell the watch. A week later, Elliot returned

that, Erica scolded, “You

was going to make amends. He gave me a big villa, a sports car, a black card with no limits, and a few servants. At that time, I was beautiful and happy. I could buy whatever I wanted. There would be nights where I get to dine with Elliot and go on jewelry exhibitions together.” Speaking of this, Hayley turned to Erica. “Didn’t I get you a few gifts that were worth more than

It turned out