Never Too Far Novel

Just as Elliot was about to get up, Anastasia reached out to hug his neck. “Then, we don’t have to use it.”

He immediately understood what she meant and was taken by surprise. Then, he kissed her gently and asked in a hoarse voice, “Sweetheart, are you sure?”

“I am!” She had promised Jared, so she decided to try and see if she could fulfill his wish of giving him a sister on his birthday next year.

…

At the break of dawn, Arthur suddenly had the urge to visit Sophia’s father after waking up.

After all, he had nothing better to do.

Deciding that he wanted it to be a surprise, he did not inform her about it. He used other means to get information about Drake’s whereabouts. After all, the Goodwins’ company was in his hands.

To avoid Emily, Arthur left at about 10:00 AM to drive directly to the hospital since his bodyguard had bought him a gift in advance, so he drove directly to the hospital.

At the hospital, Drake and the rest of his family were just at the entrance as his driver was on the way to bring them to a restaurant for lunch.

As Drake couldn’t walk, he was pushed out in a wheelchair.

At this moment, a pick-up truck drove up toward them and the man who stepped out was Christopher coming to pick Sophia up. At 5 feet 7 inches, he weighed nearly 200 pounds in sportswear and his body looked plumper than ever.

His chin and neck were almost touching each other, but this did not stop him from liking beautiful women at all.

He and Sophia were classmates from junior high until they were in university. She had always been the It girl since she was young as she was beautiful. Thus, Christopher had always been dreaming of getting her.

As for Sophia’s parents, they hoped that she would be taken care of for the rest of her life. Although he was a little plump, he came from a wealthy family, so their daughter would be able to live a prosperous life in the future.

“Dad, Mom, let Uncle G take you to the restaurant first. We’ll meet you there in a bit,” Sophia said.

“Alright, we’ll get going then.”

Then, she followed Christopher into his car where he immediately acted like a gentleman. “Sophia, today is a great day for us. Come, let’s get a gift for you.”

“Let us go eat first,” she deflected. She did not want anything from him.

“You’re going to be my wife soon, and it’s only right for me to give you a gift.” Then, he drove her straight to the jewelry store. Although she had repeatedly refused the offer, he still tried to force a diamond ring on her finger.

Ultimately, she had no choice but to wear it on her ring finger. This made him grin so widely that his triple chin was on full display.

“Sophia, you’re so beautiful today. Did you know how many boys were after you back in high school? Now, I can finally call you mine,” he boasted. He had already made up his mind to bribe the media to report their wedding. That way, he would look even more imposing.

The most beautiful girl in school was now his wife, which made it extremely wonderful!

However, Sophia had no intention of being his trophy wife. She looked at the time and said, “It’s time for us to head over to the restaurant.”

Then, Christopher finally drove them toward the restaurant.

In the hospital corridor, a group of young nurses was stunned by the sight of a man in a white shirt, who became the focus of all the women. He was like a protagonist out of a novel while the two bodyguards made him appear cold and hostile with a domineering aura.

Arthur stood at the door of the ward. He stopped outside for a few seconds before he reached out to push open the door, expecting to see Sophia’s surprised face.

However, the ward was empty.

When a nurse passed by, he politely asked the nurse in a charming voice, “Excuse me, has the patient here been discharged?”

It just so happened that the nurse happened to be in charge of the ward. “Mr. Goodwin is not discharged yet,” she hurriedly answered. “He just went out for lunch. If I’m not wrong, his daughter is getting engaged today.”

At the sound of this, his dark pupils suddenly shrank. “Engaged?”

“Yes, that is correct! According to what I’ve heard, they will meet the groom’s family and discuss the engagement. Sir, are you related to him?”

“No.” The man kept his composure and gave a quick smile, but as soon as he walked away, his face looked gloomy.

How could she not tell him she was going to get engaged?

Arthur pulled out his phone and called Sophia’s number right away.

Sophia was in the car that Christopher was driving. When she heard her phone rang, she pulled it out and checked it. Once she saw who was calling, she immediately ended the call.

“Why didn’t you answer?” Christopher asked out of curiosity.

“It’s nothing important.”

At the hospital lobby, the man couldn’t believe that she had just hung up on him. When he thought about that, he gripped the phone even tighter.

“Find out where Drake’s daughter’s engagement is,” Arthur ordered his bodyguard behind him.

The bodyguard contacted the executive at Goodwin Corporation, who put him in touch with Drake’s driver. The driver gave them the address and room number of the restaurant.

Arthur then entered the car and calmly said, “Drive to the restaurant.”

Christopher’s car slowly pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot during this time. When Sophia got out of the vehicle, he suddenly hugged her. This startled Sophia, so she avoided and told him, “Don’t do this. We do not want anyone to see us.”

“What’s the problem? After this meal, you will be my wife anyway.” He wanted to move in with Sophia so badly right now.

Even though they were going to get married in future, she still resisted him deeply.

“Fine! At the very least, we should hold hands!” Christopher ignored her refusal and forced to take her hand.

Sophia had no choice but to follow him inside the restaurant while holding her hand.

At the restaurant, Drake and his wife were chatting with the York couple. Since they were both businessmen, this was something that they had in common. Their conversation led to the Goodwin Corporation incident when a hostile acquisition left Drake with no one to turn to when it happened.

His business was thriving until there was an unexpected hostile acquisition, which resulted in him owing a significant amount of money to the bank. All of this happened as a result of his daughter losing the heirloom that belonged to a young man.

“Anyway, the past is the past. Please look out for us since we will soon be in-laws,” Drake added.

“Of course. After all, our son is totally crazy about Sophia.”

Christopher walked in while holding Sophia’s hand as they were talking.

After taking their seats, the two families began ordering food. In the meantime, Emma was observing her daughter seated next to a plump Christopher. She felt terrible for Sophia since she was unhappy with this engagement.

“Sophia! I’ll take good care of you in the future. Once you’re married to Christopher, please hurry ahead and bless our family with a grandchild. I definitely want to have a grandchild soon.” Margaret thought to herself as she looked at Sophia’s lovely face. My future grandchildren’s genes will definitely be amazing.

“Why don’t we skip the engagement and get straight to the wedding planning? At this point, we are able to discuss the dowry and what should be done with it. We are generous, we have decided to give two million dollars.” Edmund York had already decided what he will do.

“We have no demands on the dowry. Everything is fine so long as Sophia is happy.” Drake nodded.

Edmund had an idea right away. “Oh! Drake, how about we help you pay off half of your debt to make things easier and then figure out what to do about the rest?”

Drake and his wife looked at each other in silence. Because of how things were, they had no other choice as they no longer had any pride left to ask for more.

“But we also hope you can give something as your part of the wedding gift,” Margaret said out of the blue.

When Emma heard this, she quickly added, “We’ll absolutely prepare our side of the wedding gift too.”

“In that case, let’s just get right to it. Drake, we are interested in your land. So, we’re wondering whether you may make it as your gift for the wedding.”

Drake and his wife exchanged yet another glance. Our land?! However, this land is valued at 50 million dollars on the market. It wasn’t that the couple didn’t want to give the land as a wedding gift; instead, it was their only remaining possession.

Sophia was shocked to hear this and she looked at the York Family. They want a piece of land as a wedding gift?!

“Mr. Drake, we’ll build a house on that piece of land. We’ll bring you two over to stay with us by then.” Christopher said. He thought that his family deserved to benefit financially from this marriage.

Drake and his wife found themselves in a terrible predicament. They couldn’t help but think, we thought that marrying off our daughter would be a joyful occasion, but the wedding gift that the other side is asking for seems ridiculous.

“Don’t tell me you’re hesitant to give it up, Drake.” Edmund continued in his pursuit.

“Well, that’s not really true. We’ll get ready for our part of the wedding gift, but this land is under my father’s name. I don’t think I have much of a say in this.”

“However, I heard that you inherited the land from him. Certainly, you can make that decision. We also want our children to have a nicer place to live once they marry, wouldn’t you agree? You will provide the land, and we will assist in the construction of a villa. In the end, it’s for the benefit of our children.”

“Mr. and Mrs. York, I’m not too choosy about where I live. Also, I have my own property, so after Christopher and I get married, we can just move into my apartment,” Sophia said.

“An apartment? That can’t be right. Christopher can’t live in an apartment. We have always given him the best of everything since he was a child, in case you didn’t know,” Margaret refuted in a strong manner and made it sound like his son was a rare and precious gem.

A large black SUV pulled up in front of the restaurant’s entrance. The bodyguard stepped out of the vehicle to open the rear passenger seat door. The man’s slender and long legs stepped out and he walked right inside the restaurant.

“Do you have any reservations, sir?”

“We’re here to look for someone,” his bodyguard answered.

Arthur asked, “Where is The Prema Room?”

“Oh! This way, sir.” The server catered to their needs with enthusiasm. While directing them to The Prema Room, the waitress could not resist catching a glimpse of the male visitor. He is extremely attractive! Is he a celebrity?

At the same time, the atmosphere in The Prema Room had become a little awkward. The York Family was keen about getting that piece of land, but the Goodwin Family was in a dilemma.

the sweet voice of the

at the door in surprise while a

shocked when she saw the man that she jumped from her seat. “Mr. Weiss, why are you here?” she asked, looking at the

from the two families in their seats to the plump man next to Sophia. He narrowed his eyes as he thought, is this the man she’s going to marry? Is she blind? This man does not

Drake and his wife saw the man, they were shocked as well and would

to be cautious of this man. So, he rose up and said

unpleasant tone, she hurriedly introduced him to Arthur. “This is my friend,

can you invite a male friend to our engagement party?” Christopher was furious. When he saw that

is.” She waved her hands to indicate that he had misunderstood. She then reached out

around and followed her to

once they were outside. “Young Master Weiss, why

married to that pig inside there?”

say such rude things about

that he’ll squash you?” He didn’t pay attention to

embarrassment when she heard that. Can’t this man

I’m getting engaged soon and no longer can serve you. Please revoke our agreement,” she said with a

to resolve her father’s debt was

disagree; you cannot leave my side for a whole year.” He crossed his arms and gave

have nothing to do with him, she could only say, “In short, I’m getting engaged. I’m going to get married to someone else. So, all I can say is that from now on, I’ll

know about our relationship?” Arthur narrowed his

as if we are having an affair? For goodness sake, we’re just friends.

lip and said, “There’s nothing

someone from inside was opening the door behind her. From the

than before. “Have you forgotten that we used to sleep in the same room? You

instance. Since he was angry, he asked out loud, “Sophia, what is your

by surprise and she immediately turned to him and explained, “Christopher, please don’t

her time to react, a set of thin, rejuvenating

took Sophia

as his future

surprised as he saw

kissing Sophia, Arthur flashed a smug look and sneered at Christopher to provoke

kiss until she heard Christopher’s angry voice. “Let go of her! She’s

an embrace with a cedar scented chest the next second. “I’ve touched her, so what are you going to do?” Arthur smirked as he kissed her

him. He may need to spend at least 3

to push off Arthur, a deep male voice said, “You’re willing to marry yourself to this pig for a

never heard such haughty remarks in her life. Meanwhile, Christopher became

why don’t you try to take out 10 billion dollars in one

extend out his hand, the bodyguard gave him a black wallet. Arthur withdrew a black card from his wallet and handed it to Sophia. “Take it and use the money to pay off your father’s debt. Return to

black cards in this man’s wallet, if

looked at the black card and raised her head. She knew she couldn’t accept something like that from him. So,

he has plans to do something bad. Let’s go inside.” Christopher then moved toward her and tried to pull her away from Arthur, but Arthur’s bodyguard

Then

disappointed. This woman is willing to marry someone else instead of

it was finally his turn to give Arthur

say, which came as a surprise. Looking at him, she said, “Christopher,

He looked at her

the York Family asked her to marry Christopher and said they would help her father pay off his debt, it was just empty promises. Out of greed,

had actually thought about it while she was inside the room and wondered whether she could get her parents to sell everything they owned to

to do about the piece of land. She knew that

Family, “Mr. and Mrs. York, I regret to inform you that I cannot

what’s the matter? I thought we discussed this, so why have you decided not to get

motives for this engagement. Now that

reclined to his wheelchair while Sophia made her way over to him and began pushing

he bought Drake Goodwin’s company the last time, he was the one who earned the 10 billion dollars

she spoke to him. “I’m going to

a grudge against Arthur for taking over his company with ill intent. So, he only gave Arthur a quick glance before letting her push him

called a few numbers after he watched the family of three enter into the elevator.

the tableware off the table in the private room. Infuriated, he said, “How dare they look down on us, the Goodwin Family! Fine! I will wait till Drake is

assumed Drake would offer that plot of land as a wedding gift and present it to us. Who

she sat in the front passenger seat, she reminisced about Arthur’s kiss earlier and couldn’t believe this man

and pay off the debt, Mom and Dad. I’ll pay them the rest of the money when I obtain a job in

a heavy sigh when he thought about how hard it might be for Sophia to pay off his debt for

Drake’s phone rang. Thus, he

but no one knew what the other person on the other end of the line had said until he

Sophia stared at him with disbelief

the person on the phone. “Alright. Alright. Thank you. On Monday, I will

from the

quickly. “Could the York Family

Family

sudden, Sophia knew who helped Drake to pay off his debt. So, she told them, “I know, Mom and Dad!

just saw in

debt? You still owe him an heirloom, don’t

knew that Arthur

worry about this. I can handle it,”

at each other and thought, how will Sophia handle this?

arrived

Emma looked at Sophia and told her, “If it’s

do it! You guys head first. I’ll

said that. After that, she

answered as a low, deep voice of a man

one who helped settle my

had settled his

Why did you do it?” Even if her brain were to burst, Sophia was still unable to uncover the reason for this

me a family heirloom

Sophia had no choice but to sell herself to

serious tone, “So, does that mean you’ll do

face suddenly turned red, but she answered him

hour to return to my

before she hung up

Mom and Dad don’t have to struggle to make a living, and I can stay with him for the rest

as she gazed at the

she thought she would be with Arthur for a long

and ran into Emily as she was having her afternoon tea. When Emily first saw her, she was so mad that she threw up her tea and called Sophia out of

heard that. “Can I help you in any way, Miss

the desserts off the table all of a sudden. “It’s dirty on the

she’d ignore Emily for sure. Now, though, things are different. Arthur’s guest is Emily while I work for him.

one of the desserts

nodded and kept wiping the floor while she was on her knees. Arthur appeared at the front entrance before he slowly

Emily in the garden, sitting cross-legged on a reclining chair with a teacup in one hand and desserts sprawled on the floor underneath her. Then, he noticed Sophia, who was kneeling

Sophia clean up the mess she had intentionally made when she heard a

hand stopped moving when she heard that voice. Then, she turned her head to look at the man who was coming toward them. She continued picking up those desserts instead

reached out to grab it. When she heard the man’s voice, it sounded a little bit mean. “I said, stop picking.

took her hand back as

shoes, which were placed to one side and said, “Miss

she saw that Sophia knew how to behave.

what was going on because he knew Emily well. He had

is my personal maid. Please order your personal attendants to take care of all of your everyday needs. Don’t instruct Sophia

“Artie, why can’t I make her do what

means no and it’s final.”Arthur maintained his calm manner. Then, he dragged Sophia into the living room where he reminded her, “Moving forward, you must serve me only and no one

the words

what she

Arthur gave her his instructions. He couldn’t attend to her for long because he had some business

phone call from her father thereafter. He contacted to see if it was Arthur who had helped him settle his

working for him, so it may be a while

over my company by force.” Drake was

did he take over your business, Dad?”

the business inefficiently and failed to turn a profit.” Drake sighed. He recalled how ruthless Arthur had been the last time he took over the business. There was no introduction or advance notice as the man simply

collateral for a loan of hundred of billion dollars. For this reason, the company was sold and the sale proceeds were transmitted directly to the bank. It was later found out that Drake was also responsible for another debt, which had been taken out

was the said debt that Arthur had settled up in

was furious but also helpless. There was, however, nothing he could do to change the situation. As a result, he had little choice but

at Arthur working on his laptop downstairs as she spoke. The

that

meet a few important visitors. As a jewelry designer, she’d always been attentive and patient with clients. Even though she was with a prominent status now, she still met with

less than a half hour and two cups of coffee later, she was able to secure nearly 10 million worth of custom orders

competitive. That meant that if they truly wanted to break away from their old operating model, they had to go all out at the top end and she wanted to build Bourgeois into a top-tier company in the

had a lot of unproductive staff. She was aware that the majority of these slackers were executive-levels

the decision to restructure the entire organization and redeployment of

out of all the employees she knew and they were already

brought to a conclusion. The Vice-president was held by Larry while Felicia was promoted to regional chief director. On the other hand, Mason was given an instant promotion and had

do was to give them responsibilities that were suited for

underwent a transformation. All of the managers who believed their jobs were secure and

promoted and rehired. For a moment, sounds of complaints and rants echoed in the big office of Bourgeois while those who were rehired realized at the same time that the

Suddenly, she heard Grace’s voice coming from outside and

enter.

that petite figure of hers. Coincidentally, this male manager was one of those executives who

and made his way across to Anastasia’s desk. “President Tillman, what’s the meaning of this?! I have been working in Bourgeois for 8 years. I’m pretty sure I could get some credit for my efforts, but how could you demote

Quigley, the male manager, with a piercing gaze and spoke, “Mr. Quigley, I must remind you that Bourgeois will not support idlers from now on. You can submit your resignation if you don’t wish to cooperate with

quickly added, “All in all, you successfully seduced a man like Elliot just because you have a pretty face. I’m telling you:

didn’t intend to pamper anyone in the company. Therefore, she said coldly, “I dare to because I’m the

transfer me to another position, but I’m not fine with a salary reduction. If you don’t implement it, I’ll go on

coldly recounted his charges. “Don’t think I don’t know what you have been up to! I have calculated the amount of money that you have illegally transferred out all these years! It’s at least more than 8 million, if not

pretended to be calm as he said,

you sure you want

like this, she looked