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.

room’s door was pushed open at this moment and the sweet voice of the waitress welcoming someone was heard shortly after. “Please enter,

door in surprise while a noble looking man entered the

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

to the plump man next to Sophia. He narrowed his eyes as he thought, is

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

rose up and said in an unpleasant tone, “Who are you? Do you not realize that this is a

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

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

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 don’t we talk about

turned around and followed

were outside. “Young Master Weiss, why are you

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

such

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

red with embarrassment when she heard that. Can’t this

getting engaged soon and no longer can serve you. Please revoke our agreement,”

her father’s debt was to

whole year.” He crossed his arms and gave her a harsh

engaged. I’m going to get married to someone else. So, all

about our relationship?” Arthur narrowed his

cheeks reddened after hearing this. Why does he act as if we are having an affair? For goodness sake, we’re just friends. Why does he have to complicate

lip and said,

the door behind her. From the

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

statement at first instance.

surprise and she immediately turned to him and explained, “Christopher, please don’t misunderstand. There’s

her face was cupped by two fair and delicate hands. Without giving her time to react, a

Sophia

future fiancee was being kissed

the side was also surprised as he saw Young Master Weiss initiating a

a smug look and sneered

Christopher’s angry voice. “Let go

an arm was wrapped 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 kissed her

may need to spend at least 3 years in jail if he can’t pay up!” Christopher was still determined to get Sophia for himself. After all, he’d never give up something he’d

marry yourself to this pig for a mere 10 billion dollars? How can

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

take out 10

him a black wallet. Arthur withdrew a black card from his wallet and handed

his eyes widened in amazement. He observed not one, but maybe six or seven black cards in this

head. She knew she couldn’t accept something like that from him. So, she quickly shook her head

go inside.” Christopher then moved toward her and tried to pull her away

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

that, he was a little disappointed. This woman is willing to marry someone else instead

his turn to give Arthur a provoking smirk as Sophia walked toward

say, which came as a surprise. Looking at

looked

when 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, they even asked for a piece of her parents’ land as

whether 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

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

door to the room. Once she entered the room, she addressed the York Family, “Mr. and Mrs. York, I regret to inform you that

thought we discussed this, so why

Surely, they also sensed the York Family’s true motives for this engagement. Now that Sophia

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

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

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

intent. So, he only

he watched the family of three enter into the elevator. “I need help with this one

pushed all the tableware off the table in the private room. Infuriated, he said, “How dare they look down on us, the Goodwin Family! Fine!

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

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

debt, Mom and Dad. I’ll pay them the rest of the money when

heavy sigh when he thought

he picked up his phone and

no one knew what the other person on the other end of the line

stared at him with disbelief at hearing

joy and confusion as he spoke with the person on the phone. “Alright. Alright. Thank you. On Monday, I will absolutely head over to get the proof

Emma and Sophia, “That was from

quickly. “Could

York Family has this

pay off his debt. So, she told them, “I know, Mom and Dad! Mr. Weiss was the one who

whom we just

us pay off the debt? You still owe him an

she knew that Arthur was the one who had

this. I can

Emma glanced at each other and thought, how will Sophia handle this? Is it possible that Mr.

they arrived

of the car while Emma looked at Sophia and told her, “If it’s really Mr. Weiss, you

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

cab as she said that. After

answered as a low, deep voice of a man of unknown temperament came

you the one who helped settle my

had settled his

it?” Even if her brain were to burst, Sophia was still unable

you owe me a family heirloom and 10 billion dollars from

even be your servant for a lifetime.” Sophia had no choice

the man heard what Sophia said, he asked in a serious tone, “So, does that mean you’ll do anything

but she answered

have an hour to return to

I’ll be right back.” She responded before she hung up the phone

make

like she was in a trance as she gazed at the sunshine beyond the

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

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

to her when she heard that. “Can I

pushed the desserts off the table all of a sudden. “It’s dirty on the floor. Come here

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

desserts that 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

the floor while she was on her

desserts sprawled on the floor underneath her. Then, he noticed Sophia, who was kneeling down and

the mess she had intentionally made when

to look at the man

pulled to her feet by a hand that reached out to grab it. When she heard the man’s voice, it sounded a

back as she looked

she looked at Emily’s shoes, which were placed to one side and said, “Miss

but smirk when she saw that Sophia knew how to behave. “Make sure to clean it

he knew Emily well. He had seen the desserts on the floor and the dessert stains on her

everyday needs. Don’t instruct Sophia any longer,” he told Emily

her lips unhappily and demanded, “Artie, why can’t I make her do

into the living room where he reminded

she heard the words serve me

what she

back to your room and rest.” Arthur gave her his instructions. He couldn’t attend to her for long because

and she received a phone call from her father thereafter. He contacted

may be a while before I can see you and

took over my company by force.” Drake was experiencing

take over your

recalled how ruthless Arthur had been the last time he took over the business. There was no introduction

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 the bank. It was later found out that Drake was

the said debt that

As a result, he had little choice but to accept his fate. On top

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

hadn’t been able to believe that those delicately

visitors. As a jewelry designer, she’d always been attentive and patient with clients. Even though she was with a

coffee later, she was able to secure nearly 10 million worth

that the jewelry market was becoming increasingly 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

as an employee at Bourgeois, she was aware that the company had a lot of unproductive staff. She was aware that

mind, she made the decision to restructure the entire organization and

employees

promoted to regional chief director. On the other hand, Mason was given an instant promotion and had the responsibility of running the general

that Anastasia had to do was to give them

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

and rants echoed in the big office of Bourgeois while those who were rehired realized at

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

still couldn’t stop the burly male manager with that petite figure of hers. Coincidentally, this male manager was one of those executives who had been transferred from

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

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

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

it, I’ll go on a strike with all my men!” Since Gordon was previously the manager of Bourgeois, he had

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

his face instantly turned into panic. Even so, he still pretended to be calm as he said, “President Tillman, you should at least provide evidence if you

the evidence, that will also be the time when I’ll see you in court. Are you sure you

skirt. Dressing like this, she looked slender and mesmerizing while radiating