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.

open at this moment and the sweet voice of the waitress welcoming someone was

at the door in surprise while a noble looking man entered the

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

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

the man, they were shocked as well and would never intentionally upset him. Furthermore, their daughter owed him a

mind warned him to be cautious of this man. So, he rose up

detected Christopher’s unpleasant tone, she hurriedly introduced him to Arthur. “This

you invite a male friend to our engagement party?” Christopher was furious.

not what it is.” She waved her hands to indicate that he had misunderstood. She then reached out her hands to push and drag Arthur toward the door. “Mr. Weiss, why

and followed her

they were outside. “Young Master Weiss, why are you here?!” she asked,

to that pig inside there?” he laughed as if he had just seen

say such

He didn’t pay attention to her and

with embarrassment when she heard that. Can’t this man at least

longer can serve you. Please revoke our agreement,” she said with

to resolve her father’s debt was to sever ties with

you cannot leave my side for a whole year.” He crossed his

she was determined to 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

our relationship?”

this. Why does he act as if we are having an affair? For goodness sake,

lip and said,

her. From the corner of his eye, Arthur could see and even figure out who that

himself sound even more ambiguous than before. “Have you forgotten that we used to

this statement at first instance. Since he was angry, he asked out loud, “Sophia, what is your

took Sophia by surprise and she immediately turned to him and explained,

by two fair and delicate hands. Without giving her time to

Sophia completely

his future fiancee was being

stood by the side was also surprised as he saw

look and

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

around her waist as Christopher finished ranting. She was flattened in 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

billion dollars debt will be due soon, and if you are not engaged with me, no one’s going to pay for him. He may need to spend at least 3 years in jail if he can’t pay up!” Christopher was still determined

a deep male voice said, “You’re willing to marry yourself to this pig for a mere 10 billion dollars?

heard such haughty remarks in her life. Meanwhile, Christopher became enraged when he heard

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

from his wallet and handed it to Sophia. “Take it and use the money to pay off your father’s

or seven 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, she quickly shook her head and said, “I’m

ignore him, Sophia. I’m sure 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 came out immediately and stopped

free from Arthur’s grip on her waist. Then she told him, “Please let go of

was a little disappointed. This woman is willing to marry someone else instead of accepting

was finally his turn to give Arthur

which came as a surprise. Looking at

looked at her

her to marry Christopher and said they would help her father pay off his debt, it was just empty promises. Out

she could get her parents to sell everything they owned to pay off the debt. She was also willing to stay with her parents in a rental home and

also tell that her parents were having trouble deciding what to do about the piece of land. She knew that the York

she pushed open the door to the room. Once she entered the room, she addressed the York Family, “Mr. and Mrs. York, I regret to inform you that I cannot get engaged to

the matter? I thought we discussed this, so why have you decided

this engagement. Now that Sophia had openly broken off her

to him and began pushing him out. After Emma had made her

still in the hallway and hadn’t left yet. He seemed to remember something right then. When he bought Drake Goodwin’s company the last time, he was the one who earned the 10 billion dollars debt

left the room and saw Arthur still standing in the hallway, she spoke to him. “I’m going to take my dad back to

a grudge against Arthur for taking over his company with ill intent.

his phone and called a few numbers after he watched the family of three enter into

room. Infuriated, he said, “How dare they look down on us, the Goodwin Family! Fine! I will

that plot of land as a wedding gift and present it to us. Who knew Sophia wasn’t such a fool?” Edmund expressed his

to return to the hospital. As she sat in the front passenger seat, she reminisced about Arthur’s kiss

pay them the rest of the money when I obtain

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

phone rang. Thus, he picked up his

on the other end of the line had said

stared at him with

confusion as he spoke with the person on the phone. “Alright. Alright. Thank you. On Monday, I

hanging up the phone, he said to Emma and Sophia, “That was from the bank. They called to inform me that my debt

asked quickly. “Could the York Family

way the York Family

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

whom we just saw

us pay off the debt? You still owe him an heirloom, don’t you?” a shocked

knew that

Dad, don’t worry about this. I can

how will Sophia handle this? Is

arrived

looked at Sophia and told her, “If it’s really Mr. Weiss, you need to

it! You guys head first. I’ll find him right

cab as she said that. After that, she

a low, deep voice of

the one who helped settle my father’s

had settled

her brain were to burst, Sophia was still unable to uncover the reason for

family heirloom and 10 billion dollars from now

Sophia had no choice but to sell herself to Arthur. Yet, she didn’t mind much because she knew she would feel better once

he asked in a serious tone, “So, does that mean you’ll do anything I tell

red, but she answered him with boldness.

to return to my villa,” he

responded before

struggle to make a living, and I can

like she was in a trance as she

she didn’t feel trapped when she thought she would be with Arthur for a long time. Instead, it made her feel

tea. When Emily first saw her, she was so mad that she threw up

that. “Can I

all of a sudden. “It’s dirty on the floor. Come here and clean

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

had fallen on the floor, but all of a sudden, Emily stomped on one of the desserts with her shoe. She took them off and said, “My shoes are dirty on the bottom. Why don’t you wash

nodded and kept wiping the floor while she was on her knees. Arthur appeared

hand and desserts sprawled on the floor underneath her. Then, he noticed Sophia, who was kneeling down and collecting the desserts off the ground as if she were

as she watched Sophia clean up the mess she had intentionally made when she heard a cold male

that voice. Then, she turned her head to look at the man who was coming

to grab it. When she heard the man’s voice, it sounded

her hand back as she looked

placed to one side and said,

knew how to behave. “Make sure to clean it well,” she

He had seen the desserts on the floor and the

care of all of your everyday needs. Don’t instruct Sophia

I make her do what I want? How is she

dragged Sophia into the living room where he reminded her, “Moving forward, you must serve me only and no one

she heard the words serve me only because these were incredibly vague affectionate

what she was told

instructions. He couldn’t attend to her for long because he had some business to take care

received a phone call from her father thereafter. He contacted to see if it was

so it may be a while before I

he took over my company by force.” Drake was experiencing

he take over your business,

how ruthless Arthur had been the last

his other business partners had used the company’s shares as collateral for a loan of hundred of billion dollars. For this reason, the company was sold and the sale proceeds were transmitted directly to

said debt that Arthur had settled up in

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

health first,” Sophia comforted him. She stood by the handrail on the second story and glanced down at Arthur working on his laptop downstairs as she spoke. The man seemed

now, she hadn’t been able to believe that those delicately pursed lips of his

important visitors. As a jewelry designer, she’d always been attentive and patient

coffee later, she was able to secure nearly

that the jewelry market was becoming increasingly competitive. That meant that if they truly wanted to break away from their old operating model,

her time as an employee at Bourgeois, she was aware that the company had a lot of unproductive staff. She was aware that the majority of these slackers were executive-levels who received substantial perks from their positions without performing

she made the decision to restructure

the employees she knew and

process of personnel reformation was quickly 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

do was to give them responsibilities that were suited for their level

a transformation. All of the managers who believed their jobs were secure and well-compensated were demoted to positions of less significance whereas

were also promoted and rehired. For a moment, sounds of complaints and rants echoed in the big office of Bourgeois while those who were rehired

was done restructuring the company, Anastasia was looking at some documents in her office. Suddenly, she heard Grace’s voice coming from outside and judging from the lady’s intonation, she

can’t enter. President Tillman

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

the meaning of this?! I have been working in Bourgeois for 8 years. I’m

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 this transfer decision. I’m more than happy to receive your resignation

nothing but a mere designer who became lucky and able to climb to the top.” Gordon sneered, after which he quickly added, “All in all, you successfully seduced a man like Elliot just because you have a pretty face. I’m telling you: I have already been holding the position of a manager even before you joined

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

I’ll go on a strike with all my men!” Since Gordon was previously the manager

to jail first, or your strike will come first.” After she finished speaking, she 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,

be calm as he said, “President Tillman, you should at least provide evidence if you want to convict me for

the time when I’ll see you in court. Are you sure you want to

skirt. Dressing like this, she looked slender and mesmerizing while radiating a domineering aura at