Never Too Far Novel

Emily found her way to the cafe as she had asked Arthur’s bodyguards for his whereabouts, but she didn’t expect to find Sophia with him.

Arthur frowned as he saw her standing before them, while Sophia had already gotten up from her seat. “Miss Jennings, you can join Young Master Weiss. I shall be going.”

“I’ll see you off.” Emily faked a smile and wrapped her arm around Sophia as they walked out of the cafe. Sophia was forced to reciprocate the feigned intimacy as she walked beside Emily nervously.

Once they went out of the cafe, Emily’s expression changed into one of detest as she shoved Sophia forward and warned, “Sophia, stop harassing Artie, or else I’ll make you pay.”

The truth was far from what Emily said. Sophia never planned to cling to Arthur, and it was a mere coincidence that Arthur and she met at the funeral.

Therefore, she answered calmly, “Don’t worry. I’m not harassing him or anything. Even more, I don’t plan to.”

“I’m not going to trust any of your words. Have you ever wondered how influential his family is? Your life is a far cry from his!” Emily was staring at Sophia with folded arms; she didn’t even bother to hide her disdain. “It’s only your wishful thinking for him to fall in love with you! Furthermore, don’t try your luck. You’ll only suffer.”

Sophia looked into her eyes and replied, “First of all, I won’t categorize people into particular groups based on their background. Even though you’re born with a silver spoon, you need to respect others.”

“You—” Emily’s words were cut short as she didn’t expect a comeback from Sophia.

Sophia continued, “Sorting out the relationship is a matter which needs to be settled between Mr. Weiss and me. You’ve no right to meddle in our business.” Her eyes were icy cold as Emily’s superior attitude irritated her.

“You!” Emily tried, but no words came out either. It was just like last time.

“If you have feelings for Young Master Weiss, you’re free to pursue him. As for the result, it depends on you. Don’t take it out on me.” As if she didn’t notice Emily’s condition, Sophia continued.

Emily’s cheeks reddened at her words. Is she trying to imply I’ll not succeed?

She glared at Sophia. “If it wasn’t for your interference, I would have become his girlfriend sooner.”

Sophia chuckled. “You’ve always thought lowly of me. If so, there aren’t many things I can do to catch his attention, unless he’s a fool to fall for me easily.”

“How dare you call Artie a fool!” Emily was so enraged she raised her hand, about to slap Sophia.

At that moment, Arthur stepped out of the cafe and strode toward them. He had been listening to their conversation for a while and decided to step forward to prevent any further conflict. As he settled into a stance, he glared at Emily. “Emily, stop it.”

When she saw him showing up, the first thought that appeared in Sophia’s mind was to look for an escape route. I can’t believe he’s right behind us! How long has he been eavesdropping?

As she turned on her heels to make an escape for the elevator, Arthur’s voice echoed behind her. “Stop right there.”

He was reconsidering his opinion about Sophia. Seeing the other side of her was a surprise to him and he found it amusing as he walked toward her. “You’re running away after you called me a fool?”

Sophia had no choice but to turn around and face him. As she looked into his deep eyes, she explained, “I-I didn’t mean to call you a fool.”

“You did!” Seeing an opportunity, Emily joined in.

“Miss Jennings, you don’t understand. I’m saying that Young Master Weiss would be a fool to fall for me.” At that, she gloated over her wise comeback and asked for Arthur’s opinion. “Young Master Weiss, you’re not interested in me, right?”

“Of course, I’m not,” he answered between gritted teeth.

Sophia cast a glance at Emily with a blooming victorious smile on her face. “Did you hear him? He doesn’t like me!”

Emily stared at her speechlessly as she had the feeling that it was a perfunctory act.

Looking straight into Arthur’s eyes, Sophia reminded him, “Young Master Weiss, please clarify that there is nothing between us, or else your pursuer—Miss Jennings—will misunderstand.”

Even though the odd feeling still lingered within Emily, she was deprived of the chance to talk back as Sophia stepped into the elevator. She turned to Arthur involuntarily and saw him stare at the shut elevator door with mixed feelings.

“How rude of her!” In the end, Emily could only harrumph a response.

After Sophia left the cafe, she took a taxi to get home. Enjoying the breezy evening wind swaying her face, she was concurrently searching for an answer in her blank mind.

He agreed that he’s not interested in me. That’s impossible to be a lie, she thought.

At that moment, her cell phone notified her of a new message. She checked her phone to read it and found a message from Arthur with only two words.

She gaped at the message. Damn! He sent me a message only to scold me!

‘Mr. Weiss. Please remember you’re a decent man,’ she replied to him immediately.

Arthur then sent a reply message. ‘You don’t have any conscience.’

‘You’re right, I don’t. You’ve seen through my disguise and shall stop seeing people like me from now on.’ Sophia had given up on saving her image.

He asked again, ‘Do you think falling for you is what a fool would do?’

Meanwhile, Emily was gazing at the scenery outside in the car heading back to the villa. Beside her was Arthur typing messages on his phone. The corners of his lips turned up from time to time to indicate his good mood, even though his fingers betrayed that he was terrible at replying to text messages.

“Artie?” When she turned and found him smiling, she asked, “Who are you chatting with?”

“A friend.” His answer was simple.

Emily noticed a hint of amusement in Arthur’s expression as if he was having fun from the interaction, so she mustered her courage and asked for further information. “Who is your friend?”

“You don’t know them,” he answered as he checked the phone and broke into a wide smile at the message content.

Sophia’s reply read, ‘I said the wrong thing just now. Please forgive me.’

Sophia was riding in a taxi; the sunset view could no longer catch her attention as she felt nervous waiting to receive his response. What’s wrong with me? Am I having fun now?

‘I’m home. Gotta go.’ She typed on her phone and sent the message before shoving her cell phone back into her bag.

However, her determination only lasted for a while. When she heard a message notification, she looked for her cell phone in the bag and checked the message.

‘It isn’t a bad thing to become likable. At least be honored by it.’

Sophia was taken aback. What does he mean? Does he have feelings for me?

Deciding that it was a wise choice to let the topic end here, she replied with a message. ‘I’m home.’

Arthur stopped sending her any messages, so she paid for the ride and got out of the taxi. As she walked home while staring at her phone, someone halted her.

“Miss Goodwin, Old Madam Weiss would like to see you.” Sophia raised her head and found the middle-aged bodyguard from the last time addressing her. She hid her phone behind her involuntarily when she heard Martha was looking for her.

“Sure.” Sophia nodded and followed him into the car. It was when they eventually arrived at a nearby cafe that he let her off.

As usual, Martha was waiting for her in a private room. The moment she saw Martha, the guilt washed over her as she had been spending time with Arthur not long ago.

Sophia greeted her politely, “Old Madam Weiss.”

“Take a seat.” Martha gestured at the sofa.

As she took a seat, Martha asked her without mincing her words. “I heard that you lost our family heirloom that Artie gifted to you?”

Sophia nodded. “Yes, I lost it. He didn’t give it to me, though. I’m the one who snatched it from his neck accidentally and lost it later.”

“Arthur didn’t give it to you as a gift?” Martha asked in surprise.

Sophia explained in detail how she had the necklace in the first place, brought the necklace with her to a foreign country, and lost it on a return trip home. Lastly, she apologized, “Old Madam Weiss, I’m sorry about what happened. Please don’t blame Mr. Weiss for it. He’s trying to retrieve the necklace too.”

“He took over your father’s company to force you to return to the country. That’s so him.” After hearing her explanation, Martha remarked with mixed emotions.

“Indeed. Mr. Weiss now has returned my father’s company and I’ll help him to look for the lost necklace.” Sophia revealed everything to Martha with full honesty.

Martha was well-experienced and perceptive. She saw through the facade of Arthur asking Sophia’s help to look for the necklace and understood his purpose. Truth be told, he was using it as an excuse to keep Sophia at his side.

“Miss Goodwin, I’ll keep an eye on the secondhand market for the necklace. For now, I only need your help for one thing. I need you to leave Artie.” She was brisk at handling things as a full plan was formed in her mind and she spoke it immediately. “I have an idea. Do as I say.”

“Old Madam Weiss.” Sophia gaped at the elder woman dressed in a refined outfit and luxurious pieces of jewelry. “What do you want me to do?”

“You’ll need to bring a guy you know to see Artie and tell him in person that you love the guy. If Artie’s feelings for you don’t waver, then the two of you will get engaged. Besides, I’ll compensate for your loss because I promised to treat you with care.” Martha was hoping Arthur could make a firm decision on his love life as she knew Sophia wasn’t the best suitor for him.

Sophia stared at the phone on the table with hesitation. Martha’s words hurt Sophia badly as if it stung her heart. However, she agreed with Martha’s plan eventually. “All right. I’ll follow your plan.”

“I hope you can put on your best acting because Artie is very observant. Beware not to let him find out anything.”

“I will,” Sophia answered with a nod meekly as she lowered her eyes.

At that time, she received a message on her phone. She took a quick glance at the message that appeared on the screen.

‘What are you doing right now?’ The sender stated Arthur’s name.

“That’s all for today. I won’t blame you for losing our family heirloom.” Martha waved in dismissal. “It’s not your fault at all. You can go now.”

Once she went out, the bodyguard who had been waiting offered to send

had lost the mood to reply long since the conversation

she then

on the other side of the phone answered with a clear voice. “Hey, girl! Do you already

the bush. “Can I

can I

be my

kind of thing! Are you

ask. I’ll tell you the details

wait for

took and let out another deep breath. The man whom she sought help from earlier was her childhood friend, the son of her father’s friend, and one of her

phone then notified her that a new message had been received. Taking a quick glance at it, she wasn’t surprised to see it

found exchanging messages interesting, she didn’t bother to reply. When

the caller ID and pressed the “mute” button eventually. Sinking back onto the park bench, she watched the phone

the ringtone stopped when she left it unattended. But soon, it rang

wasn’t expecting him to keep calling her without knowing to take a break. Is he

and not answering it. This time, Arthur

met. Even a new friend wouldn’t receive such cold treatment from her. However, she had promised Martha earlier to keep her

I’m sorry, Arthur.

days, she could still recognize from the pictures she had gone through

never wish for attention from a noble man like

were in the early stage as Arthur was only having affection for her so far. The kisses were merely affected by the dopamine and didn’t matter his feelings for her. She couldn’t reciprocate his feelings if he

stopped sending her

like he isn’t that

up early in the morning at 8:00 AM in Elliot’s villa.

been grieving recently, she got out of bed without a second thought to look

was wearing a gray shirt today with an apron

she walked toward Elliot, who was stirring the porridge in the pot, and

was silence hanging between them, he could feel her unspoken love. He intertwined his fingers with hers as he said,

reluctant to move from her

a kiss on her hair. Just when he moved down for her lips,

that, he

of the kitchen with a giggle and headed upstairs. After she

kitchen, she wrapped her arms around Elliot and tiptoed to give

her waist as he reciprocated her kiss. At that moment, the determination to protect his family was built within him. Even though he was still grieving for Harriet deep down, he wouldn’t hesitate to show his love for the people

there. He was practicing alone on the ranch while his parents were watching him from the cafe. They had a

physician had fallen into distress as if his life was at stake after he received a call. Climbing to the rooftop,

his phone rang

“Have you decided?”

I don’t think

see the result before 3:00 PM. Or else, you’ll lose your freedom and stay in jail

Fine, I’ll do

I’ll be waiting.” The man on the other side ended the call

hands as he finished the previous one. Then, he took a deep inhale and wiped away the sweat glued to

him with a video featuring him and a married woman. The content of the video was enough of an

onto the rooftop. They greeted him when

about me.” Once again, he wiped the sweat away and put the

She got into her childhood friend’s car at around

opportunity to pack up her things in

Then, she sent him a message on the road to

Weiss, are you

soon replied,

bother to reply to him as she turned to the side and reminded,

his heart for your sake.” At that, he

However, as he drove the car toward the residential area, he began to panic. “Is that

“He’s very wealthy.”

as handsome as

him and consoled, “He’s

his confidence was boosted. “Or

a message from Arthur. ‘Why didn’t you answer

it. ‘I muted my

over to

to pack my things. I’ll be there

work in the study room and checked on his messages. As he read

walked out of the study

a button to allow the visitor access. He saw that Sophia pushed the

James landed his eyes on the man standing in the garden, he became dejected as his confidence had quickly

all! Not only is he handsome, but he even has a strong aura, good taste

throat as she held his hand and led

here to pack my things.” She avoided looking into Arthur’s eyes as she

and

Sophia and I are childhood sweethearts.” James reached out for

glance before turning to Sophia immediately. “You never told me you’re seeing

laughed at the remark.

pack my things.” At that, she held James’ arm intimately as she said, “Let’s go, dear. I need your

of them walked into the villa and made their way

one at home now as Emily accompanied Martha on a trip, so Sophia seized the convenient timing to pack her things. She was aware that their absence set her in

the guest room, Sophia took out the suitcase and began packing her clothes. Beside her, James whispered, “Sophia, are you sure you aren’t going to

to stop talking. Bored, James pulled open a drawer in her closet

pack these by

heard steady footsteps outside the room—it belonged to none other

she raised her voice. “James, help me

he pointed at

Sophia nod without hesitation and gesturing at the door,

her lingeries into the suitcase, he stumbled on a

a glare at his clumsiness. When she was about to push James away, she noticed someone pushing the door

her arms around James’ neck even though he didn’t plan to maintain the position any longer. However, he was forced to lean forward and ended up pressing

the door open and found the two of them about

eyes at the sight and asked in an unamused voice, “What

errors (

his role. “This is not a

said, “We’re not kissing

you for now. I’ve prepared a candlelight dinner for tonight, so we can enjoy a romantic

at his words. Even though she wouldn’t even dare look at Arthur’s face, she could feel his eyes glued on

saw everything when James went straight for Sophia’s lingerie in the

zipped her suitcase and lifted it from the ground. She passed her luggage to James, who

at the door and mustered the courage to look into his eyes which seemed to have a deep meaning beneath. “Mr. Weiss, I’ve decided to live

her wrist without giving her the opportunity to resist. “Come with me for a

go of me!” However, he didn’t spare her any time to struggle out of his grip

James shouted from behind, but Sophia was already being pulled into the study room

he leaned forward to question her with a cold tone. “You dare to flirt with me when you’re already dating

she saw his stony face and

sorry, b-but I never

you in the hotel that day. Can’t you remember?” If that was the case, Arthur

“Don’t do this. My boyfriend’s not far

Does he

their proximity. Her

to him. We only kissed, after all. He’ll forgive me.” She turned her head away from

as he had initiated an investigation on her. The man who showed up

my boyfriend,” Sophia explained promptly to make him

turned cold when he asked as if he was ripping off his disguise and revealing his

However, she had no choice but to lie to him. Shutting her eyes, and in the most solemn tone she could manage, she said, “We had done everything we should as a

a precise time. Nobody would ever

statement. Sophia could sense his disdain as he took a step back, indicating that she succeeded

sorry,” she apologized quickly before she walked out of the study

admiring the art pieces here. Seeing Sophia

away

saw Arthur walking down the stairs. He immediately returned to his role as he held Sophia close and warned the other man, “Please stay away from my girlfriend from now on. I want you to keep your distance from

as she

she and I shared a room before? And did she tell you that we

not believe that she and Arthur had done such a

with no choice, she played along. “I’m

I’ve made you feel left out when I was abroad, but I promise that I’ll stay by your

furrowed tightly after he failed to infuriate

month,” she added solemnly. Since they had taken things this

like you when his woman has been intimate

If you ever lay a finger on my girlfriend again, I won’t let you off the hook that easily,” warned

while walking toward Sophia with a sinister smile; his evil intentions, engulfed by

could discern the chest muscles underneath Arthur’s shirt; he seemed strong and it was obvious that James

her chin before crushing his lips onto hers aggressively; it was a