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!”

Anastasia with admiration in

appreciation. “Felicia, thank

worries. Of course, Cathryn isn’t the first woman to openly

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

Bourgeois’ advertising and planning department to inform her agent that they were terminating their

is wrong with my artiste? The contract has been signed. I don’t

decision was made by our

correct? He

our

is your big boss?” the

wife, has taken over as president of Bourgeois Jewelry

obliged to pay liquidated damages in this manner! This is definitely something that we do not want to

additional clause. If we believe the artiste has not fulfilled the conditions, we have

employee from Bourgeois engaged in a lengthy discussion,

she summoned Cathryn immediately and questioned her. “Cathryn, have you been involved in any scandals recently?

not involved in anything and my past is clean. How could they treat me

to call it off. Did you offend her in any

“You mean, Vice-president Young?”

Tillman, the wife of Elliot Presgrave, is the current president of Bourgeois. Out of so many people, why would she want to

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

slip away so easily. She eventually got a hold of Anastasia’s general office line after

coffee. She had just finished reviewing her upcoming schedule

ring, and she reached out to answer it. “Hello? Who is

are great, so I’d like to know exactly what it is about our artists that does not fit the standards of your company. We’ll do all we

want to find out what your artist was doing in the hallway on the day of the press conference. Tell her, if she does anything like that again, she will no longer

that, she slammed the phone

conference?” Georgina questioned Cathryn, who

I

me the truth,”

her lips as she grasped the severity of the matter and quickly elaborated, “I saw Elliot answering the phone

there at the press

I’m

industry if this happened again!” Georgina scolded, “Out of everyone, the person whom you’ve chosen to upset was Elliot Presgrave’s wife? You’ll be left

she really so powerful?” Cathryn wondered,

the compensation. Do you understand? The next time you see her, move out of her way,” Georgina

work for so long in Bourgeois, she was still full of enthusiasm. After a short break, she quickly drafted another schedule. She was

at the door and Mason entered after opening it.

she said with a smile since he was

he insisted. Then, he sat on the chair opposite from her and asked, “I’m just wondering whether the spokesperson has

“Mason, you’ve been

knew it. Thus, she had

never really taken off, so I really hope she establishes

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

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

don’t often ask me for help. I had to do this,

thereafter and asked them to make some arrangements.

knocked on again and she said,

assistant, Grace, bringing in documents, but it

strolled in slowly with a smile as

doing here?” Anastasia

and drew her into a hug before lowering his head

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

ashamed.” Elliot didn’t seem

wanted. After all, she had to

Would you like a massage from

enjoy working,” she answered as she shifted her head to look at him with eyes that sparkled

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

playfully and replied,

two steps back before checking her from head

when he observed her in this manner because it made her feel like he

him grin before he said, “Your outfit is making me have

narrowed her gaze at him. “Do not

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

look, but she was still happy

for you?” Elliot inquired as he drew a chair for himself and took a

then did Anastasia realize the reason for his visit.

could someone be so

had a little chat,”

this, his eyes lit up with jealousy.

wanted my help to secure an endorsement contract for

when he heard

closed the shutters, walked over to him, and

she took the initiative, it caught

hands as she bent her head to plant a kiss on his lips. She had learned certain skills from him

and placed his arms around her waist. She withdrew just as he was going to get more and she whispered in his ears, “You shouldn’t be jealous anymore, honey. Other

eyes in response to her affectionate gaze. Then, he wrapped his arms tightly

as Anastasia was about to move away from his lap, he quickly restrained her. “Are you

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

the next instant, he grasped the back of her head and gave

her

some important documents, so she

was shocked by what she saw and her face blushed due to her being shy, which resulted in her

was not appropriate

and Elliot left with a

lips. “Do not tell

had changed her mind about Anastasia, who had become more

dare to. Don’t worry, President Tillman,” Grace

the hospital, Sophia walked out to get some fruits for her dad. She had just returned and was making her way toward the entrance of the ward when she heard her father’s anxious voice coming

been pressuring us daily, though. If you do not repay them, you will have no other option. We need to think of something!” Tiana

takes. If there’s nothing else I can do, I’ll just go to

gone? The York Family was interested in our Sophia and

The last time that happened, Sophia fled the country.” Drake

going to get that money? Whatever it is, I wouldn’t let you head back to prison. If you do, I don’t

the fruits in her hands. What? Dad owes the bank a billion? And as long as I agree to marry Christopher, his family would help

she was very grateful for Christopher. After she had fled to avoid their marriage the last time, he still

arguing couple. “Dad, Mom, I’ve heard everything, so you can

“Sophia!”

couple looked back at their daughter’s determined

can pay Dad’s debts; as long as Dad doesn’t go to jail, I’m willing to do anything,” Sophia exclaimed

had been unfilial as she didn’t know that her family was facing such

about

to marry Christopher. I’m

turning to

male voice sounded.

“I’m Sophia Goodwin.”

girl has finally decided to reach out to me!” The voice on the

to marry you, but can you really help

long as you marry me, your father will be like my own father. I will help

let’s find a time

on Friday, and I’ll pick you up when we’ve

“Great!”

she hung up the phone, she sighed as Arthur’s face flashed

basking his 200-pound body in the sun; the towel

you really going to marry Sophia Goodwin and pay off

have to listen to me. Then, it’d be up

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 her

and had her hair trimmed to her ears. She had been here for almost a month now and had nearly severed all contact from the outside world. However, she did not expect to meet her

She had the same haircut as

pale. Back then, she was treated like a princess. Now, she was forced to eat things she had never eaten before. The food served here wasn’t even served to her servants back

was as if she was getting her karma served to her. Although she had gone

years of imprisonment. Erica was quietly eating her rock-solid steamed buns and some rancid noodles when she heard a sharp voice yelling,

and looked in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar figure. Although the woman had deliberately turned her back toward her, Erica could still recognize

anger was suddenly ignited in Erica’s heart because in her eyes, Hayley was despicable and shameless. She had blatantly

attempt to avoid Erica recognizing her. However, at this moment, she turned around

eyes when she was slapped hard across the face

screaming while reaching out to pull her hair. “Hayley Seymour, you b*tch!

go.” Hayley’s scalp began to burn with pain and two correctional officers came over at this moment to separate the two and give them their fair share

As she had gone through several plastic surgeries,

a witch! It’s disgusting!” Erica sat down and mocked Hayley,

Mrs. Presgrave. Do you know that she and Elliot are married? She is also the eldest daughter of the Tillman Family. As for you, you are just a piece of trash by the side of

envy toward Anastasia. However, right now, she couldn’t even have

will live a good life,” Hayley

Her parents were jailed and she herself was imprisoned. At the end of

chance, she would have never destroyed herself to this extent. She would find an average man to marry, have a child together with him, and be

no use regretting,” Hayley commented as if she

Erica raised her head and asked, “I still have no idea how you got thrown

from Emily. For her,

were plotting against Anastasia, it wasn’t a gigolo who entered the room. It was Elliot Presgrave. After Elliot handed her a watch, she then left it on the ground. 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

eyes widened as she prodded,

years later, the business was so bad in my store that I had to sell the watch. A week later, Elliot returned to my store and asked whether I was the woman in the room that night.

scolded,

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

knew how Hayley became a wealthy woman overnight. It