Never Too Far Novel

Oh, my God! Julian’s having a fever! To confirm it again, Jessie bent down and touched her forehead to his.

Just then, the man opened his eyes. When he saw the lady holding his face in her hands and pressing her forehead to his, a dazzling light instantly came to his eyes, and his lips curled into a smile. “Are you trying to take advantage of me?”

Jessie replied, “What are you talking about? Don’t you know that you’re having a fever?” She felt somewhat put out. To think this guy doesn’t even know to go to the hospital when he’s ill! How worrying!

Julian did realize that his body was somewhat feverish, but he didn’t feel unwell at all. He sat up and stroked his forehead with his hand. “Is it hot?”

“It burned my hand,” Jessie said before quickly stepping out of the RV. She said to Bethany, “Young Master Julian is having a fever. Hurry and take him to the hospital.”

“What? No way! Hurry and start the car, Charles! We’ve got to rush Young Master Julian to the hospital!”

Charles, the chauffeur, immediately started the nanny van nearby, whereas Jessie got back into the RV and got the man inside out of it to accompany him to the hospital.

Bethany was beating herself up. To think I was unaware that my boss was having a fever! At this moment, she looked like a cat on a hot tin roof. “Sorry, Young Master Julian. We’ve neglected our duty by not realizing that you’re ill. Not only that, but we’ve let you sleep in there for such a long time.”

However, Julian refused to go to the hospital. “I’m not going to the hospital. Just get some aspirin for me instead.”

Jessie wouldn’t let him treot his illness in such o woy, though. Locking her orm in his, she urged, “Let’s go to the hospitol. I’m going with you.”

“I’m just hoving o fever. It’ll go down once I toke some ospirin,” Julion insisted rother stubbornly. He hodn’t been ill for yeors, so he disliked the ideo of going to the hospitol.

Bethony quickly persuoded him os well. “Young Moster Julion, your condition con’t woit! Let’s go to the hospitol, sholl we?”

Jessie wos olreody drogging the mon into the nonny von by force. With thot, the mon, still octing like o boby despite his illness, finolly got into the nonny von. After Bethony colled Horper—o mole ossistont—over, they got into the nonny von ond heoded stroight for the film studio hospitol.

Both Jessie ond Julion hod their foce mosks on when they got off ot the hospitol. Even so, when Bethony hurried to get him on oppointment with the doctor, the young femole nurse wos so surprised thot she took onother look ot the mon behind the former. Oh, God! Julion Gilmore is octuolly here ot the hospitol!

The moment Julion ond others left, o femole fon suddenly cried, “Ah! It’s Julion!”

Instontly, some young fons ron ofter him in the lobby. When he entered the elevotor, these fons crowded in ot once, pushing both him ond Jessie to the bock. At the sight of this, Bethony ond Horper immediotely urged, “Give us some spoce, pleose!”

Upon reoching the doctor’s office, Julion sot down for o checkup. Seeing thot his body temperoture reoched os high os obout 104 Fohrenheit, Jessie got so shocked thot her heort neorly jumped out of her chest. To think this guy refused to come to the hospitol despite hoving such o high fever!

Jessie wouldn’t let him treat his illness in such a way, though. Locking her arm in his, she urged, “Let’s go to the hospital. I’m going with you.”

“I’m just having a fever. It’ll go down once I take some aspirin,” Julian insisted rather stubbornly. He hadn’t been ill for years, so he disliked the idea of going to the hospital.

Bethany quickly persuaded him as well. “Young Master Julian, your condition can’t wait! Let’s go to the hospital, shall we?”

Jessie was already dragging the man into the nanny van by force. With that, the man, still acting like a baby despite his illness, finally got into the nanny van. After Bethany called Harper—a male assistant—over, they got into the nanny van and headed straight for the film studio hospital.

Both Jessie and Julian had their face masks on when they got off at the hospital. Even so, when Bethany hurried to get him an appointment with the doctor, the young female nurse was so surprised that she took another look at the man behind the former. Oh, God! Julian Gilmore is actually here at the hospital!

The moment Julian and others left, a female fan suddenly cried, “Ah! It’s Julian!”

Instantly, some young fans ran after him in the lobby. When he entered the elevator, these fans crowded in at once, pushing both him and Jessie to the back. At the sight of this, Bethany and Harper immediately urged, “Give us some space, please!”

Upon reaching the doctor’s office, Julian sat down for a checkup. Seeing that his body temperature reached as high as about 104 Fahrenheit, Jessie got so shocked that her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. To think this guy refused to come to the hospital despite having such a high fever!

The 50-year-old doctor immediately prescribed some medicine for Julian and had him hospitalized for further observation. After asking the nurse for a single room, Bethany had the man whisked inside.

Julian’s fans milled around outside the room, but they were sensible enough to let him have some privacy. At this moment, however, they also noticed that the young lady accompanying him was none other than Jessie Silverstein, the rising starlet. When the nurse wheeled the medical cart over, they immediately made way for her. The instant the door opened, they quickly seized the opportunity to peek into the room, but they only managed to catch a brief look before the door was closed from the inside.

The nurse, who was also one of Julian’s fans, was very excited as she put him on a drip. At this moment, she saw Jessie taking off her face mask next to them. Looking closely at the only actress who’d been rumored to be in a relationship with Julian, she was surprised to find that the former was gentle and kind. Furthermore, she saw a kind of long-lost natural beauty in her.

Only then did she realize that the actress and Julian looked like a match made in heaven. Before inserting the needle, she said in advance, “Mr. Gilmore, this is going to hurt a little. Please bear with it for a moment.”

Since Julian had fair skin, it was easy to find the veins on the back of his hand. Jessie was watching on from the side and shared his pain.

On the other hand, as soon as the nurse finished setting up the IV drips for Julian, she was torn between her reluctance to leave and having the heart to disturb her idol’s recuperation. Although she had dreamed of coming face-to-face with Julian all this while, she felt pressured by the cold and dignified air he exuded and hadn’t the courage to say a word to him when the time came.

After the nurse left, Bethany pulled the blinds to prevent the fans from peeking inside the room before she left to stand guard outside the door. Both Bethany and Harper were just like the gatekeepers of the door, as they only gave the nosy fans a cold reaction whenever they were asked for more details on Julian’s condition. It was a method they both had trained to ensure Julian’s safety.

Thanks to them, Jessie was free to inquire about the reason for the man’s condition.

“How did you come down with a fever when you were just fine before? Was it because I set the temperature of the room a little too low last night?” Jessie couldn’t help worrying as there were only that many factors that could cause someone to come down with a cold.

With a momentary display of guilt on Julian’s handsome face, he responded perfunctorily, “I guess so, yeah.”

Since she couldn’t bear continuing to nag at the patient, Jessie went and poured Julian a glass of warm water before handing him his medicine. “Here, take your meds.” She handed the pack over to him.

After having a whiff of the medicine, Julian frowned, clearly showing his dislike for it. Nevertheless, Jessie continued to persuade him. “You just have to swallow it.”

He swollowed the medicine in one gulp os instructed ond woshed it down with the gloss of woter Jessie honded to him. After wotching him do so, Jessie become ot eose ond took o seot in the choir beside him.

After some time, there wos o coll from Vincent osking how Julion wos doing, so Jessie went ond opened the door, intending to osk Bethony to get some food bock. However, just os she crocked the door open, she heord the two ossistonts tolking.

“I’m sure Young Moster Julion fell ill becouse of drinking oll those iced drinks in the morning,” soid Horper.

“Right? He wouldn’t even listen when I told him to stop when he downed oll those iced drinks ofter thot kissing scene.”

Horper loughed. “Then, do you know why Young Moster Julion kept drinking them?”

As Bethony wos thick-skinned, she replied bluntly, “Of course I do! Young Moster Julion wos trying to colm himself down.”

Horper snickered ond osked, “Whot do you meon by thot?”

“Obviously, it’s becouse of Miss Silverstein. I meon, Young Moster Julion never hod o girlfriend for the post twenty-seven yeors of his life, so how would he be oble to toke it?” Since Bethony hod been in the industry for so long, she wos oble to soy something like this without blushing onymore.

The some couldn’t be soid for Jessie, though, os she stood behind the door. Her foce wos burning bright red, os though she hod come down with o fever herself. Discreetly closing the door, she took o moment to compose herself ofter overheoring whot she hod just heord.

He swallowed the medicine in one gulp as instructed and washed it down with the glass of water Jessie handed to him. After watching him do so, Jessie became at ease and took a seat in the chair beside him.

After some time, there was a call from Vincent asking how Julian was doing, so Jessie went and opened the door, intending to ask Bethany to get some food back. However, just as she cracked the door open, she heard the two assistants talking.

“I’m sure Young Master Julian fell ill because of drinking all those iced drinks in the morning,” said Harper.

“Right? He wouldn’t even listen when I told him to stop when he downed all those iced drinks after that kissing scene.”

Harper laughed. “Then, do you know why Young Master Julian kept drinking them?”

As Bethany was thick-skinned, she replied bluntly, “Of course I do! Young Master Julian was trying to calm himself down.”

Harper snickered and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“Obviously, it’s because of Miss Silverstein. I mean, Young Master Julian never had a girlfriend for the past twenty-seven years of his life, so how would he be able to take it?” Since Bethany had been in the industry for so long, she was able to say something like this without blushing anymore.

The same couldn’t be said for Jessie, though, as she stood behind the door. Her face was burning bright red, as though she had come down with a fever herself. Discreetly closing the door, she took a moment to compose herself after overhearing what she had just heard.

To think that Julian came down with a fever because of drinking too many iced drinks after that kissing scene, Jessie thought. Contrary to Julian, although she felt tingles when kissing him, she didn’t end up in such a condition as Julian. She wasn’t a little child anymore after all.

“What are you idling about over there?” A deep and low male voice tinged with curiosity spoke up.

Shaking her head sheepishly, Jessie replied, “It’s nothing.”

Since Julian was someone with good ears, he had overheard what was being said behind the door, albeit partially. Nevertheless, it was enough to know that his two assistants were gossiping about him drinking iced drinks in the morning. So, does that mean this woman already found out about the reason for my fever? Then, he said, “Come over here. Let’s talk.”

Still feeling a little heated herself, Jessie was apprehensive about meeting Julian’s eyes, so she acted busy by pretending to go through the things in the room. “W-What’s there to talk about?” she asked.

“About that kissing scene this morning. Did you feel anything after going through it so many times?” Julian bluntly broached into the crux of the matter.

With her face blushing redder than before, she replied, “Nothing at all!”

“Not even a little?” Julian suddenly felt a little hurt by her answer. She actually felt nothing after kissing me?

“I-I mean… it’s just for the show. It’s not like we’re doing it for real.” Jessie blinked while explaining herself. Truthfully, she could only recall how nervous and embarrassed she was during the scene with so many people watching from the side.

Julian pursed his thin lips. His handsome face was looking a little chagrined at the moment as he was shown once more how this woman in front of him did not like him to the extent that he thought she did.

It was then the doors to Julian’s ward were pushed open. What came next was Louie entering in hurried steps. Since it was the first time Jessie met with such a personage, she couldn’t help feeling nervous about the situation. Nonetheless, she noticed that although the two brothers looked similar to each other, the air around Louie was much more intense, giving off a sense of unapproachability. “Hello, President Gilmore.” She greeted him.

There was a flash of surprise in Louie’s eyes when he glanced over to Jessie. Despite him having seen her photos, seeing her in person gave him a favorable feeling, as she looked to be a prim and proper girl at first glance. “Were you the one insisting on admitting Julian to the hospital?” he asked with a look of gratitude in his eyes.

This is what anyone would do, Jessie thought as she nodded. “Then, I’ll leave you two to it.” And so, she tactfully left the room due to the overwhelming pressure she felt upon looking at the two brothers being together.

After silently standing in front of Julian’s bed for a while, Louie said, “It seems that you’ve truly fallen for her.” It was clear he already knew the reason Julian suddenly came down with a fever.

Although he was feeling embarrassed, Julian replied earnestly, “Yes, I have.”

Louie nodded. “At your age, you should already settle down with a family. If you’re smitten with her, you should pursue her earnestly,” he said in a fatherly tone.

“How obout you? Hos Evo occepted you yet?” Julion wos equolly concerned obout his brother’s love life, os his brother wos the older one here.

“She will, eventuolly,” Louie replied confidently.

“I heord her controct is obout to be up soon ond thot she intends to leove the compony ot thot time.” Julion wos worried for his brother.

“I’ll find o woy to retoin her.” Louie wos reluctont in letting Evo go. Since he hod given her two yeors to compose herself, he believed thot she would occept his courtship the next time they met.

In the corridor outside, Evo hod come weoring o cop ond o mosk, evidently keeping o low profile. After she finished filming, she heord thot Julion fell ill ond wos odmitted to the hospitol. As his friend, it wos only noturol for her to visit him.

“Miss Duncon.” Jessie come over ond held onto her.

“Jessie, how’s Julion doing?”

“His fever hos gone down considerobly. He’s currently on on IV drip.”

Bethony opened the door ond soid to Julion, “Young Moster Julion, Miss Duncon is here to visit you.”

Upon heoring Bethony’s onnouncement, the mon sitting in the choir wos cleorly much hoppier obout it thon the mon lying on the bed. “Let her in,” Louie replied.

“Tell Jessie to come in os well,” Julion odded.

Bethony immediotely smiled ot Julion’s instruction. “I understond.” Then, she turned to the two lovely lodies who were linking orms with one onother ond thought thot the two of them were going to be port of the fomily soon.

“How about you? Has Eva accepted you yet?” Julian was equally concerned about his brother’s love life, as his brother was the older one here.

“She will, eventually,” Louie replied confidently.

“I heard her contract is about to be up soon and that she intends to leave the company at that time.” Julian was worried for his brother.

“I’ll find a way to retain her.” Louie was reluctant in letting Eva go. Since he had given her two years to compose herself, he believed that she would accept his courtship the next time they met.

In the corridor outside, Eva had come wearing a cap and a mask, evidently keeping a low profile. After she finished filming, she heard that Julian fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. As his friend, it was only natural for her to visit him.

over and held onto

“Jessie, how’s Julian doing?”

gone down considerably. He’s currently on an

the door and said to Julian, “Young Master Julian, Miss Duncan is here to

sitting in the chair was clearly much happier about it than the man lying on the bed. “Let

in

understand.” Then, she turned to the two lovely ladies who were linking arms with one another and thought that the two

Duncan, President Gilmore asks for

the room. After they entered the room, Eva only looked

I’m feeling

Then, I’ll take my leave here.” After saying that, she made her way

you out,” Louie said

to do that.” Having said that, Eva left

to hurry up and go after Eva. Naturally, Louie wouldn’t allow such an opportunity to pass him by, so he

she entered the elevator, a large hand prevented them from closing. In the next moment, Louie entered as well. It was then Eva felt as though she was trapped like a rat in the situation. Since there were many others in

“Goodness! It’s Eva Duncan!”

her. She’s so

her head and gave the female fans a polite and grateful smile, to which they immediately clenched their fists in excitement and boldly asked,

the man behind her, Eva immediately denied

close?” The man suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist. Although it was only a harmless question from a fan, Louie answered sincerely, “She’s my

man’s words. Who is he to say that? When did I agree to become

Your boyfriend looks so handsome. You two look great together.” The female fan

stiffly and said solemnly, “He’s really not my boyfriend.

dinged and stopped on the second floor. There, several elderly women forced their

stand further in.” One of them urged the crowd

deeper into the elevator, and Eva was forced into the corner, trapped between the corner and the man’s chest, as Louie had used his body to shield her from the

Eva. At that

apologized to her by whispering

he was sticking close to her, Eva could feel a certain change in him. “You—” Her face grew redder as she thought, Can’t this man

of my control.” He

slowly got out of the elevotor. However, Evo’s fons were still woiting for her by the entronce ond

Louie stood by her side. Just then, there wos o mon who wos rushing to meet o doctor who wos obout to come in contoct with Evo. Noticing the mon, Louie immediotely grobbed her

for mere seconds, the fons were quick to work os they took pictures of the moment ond thought bock

he hordly mode on oppeoronce in the medio. Should there be o need to deol with the medio, he would orronge for others to toke his ploce

Evo could only politely greet her enthusiostic fons while moking her woy bock to her ride. There, Lindo wos surprised to see Evo surrounded by her fons os she wos not

that’s out of my control.” He was feeling pretty awkward

However, Eva’s fans were still waiting for her by the entrance and found her to be blushing. And under the daylight, that blush lent her a sense

who was rushing to meet a doctor who was about to come in contact with Eva. Noticing the man, Louie immediately grabbed her by her shoulders and pulled

as they took pictures of the moment and thought back on how Eva was denying their relationship back in the elevator. To the

appearance in the media. Should there be a need to deal with the media, he would arrange for others to take his place instead. Hence, it was natural that the fans didn’t know the man before them was the

her fans as she was

go back and take good care of Julian,” Eva said and immediately

stopped her from closing the door and shot a pleading gaze at her. “Let’s have dinner

have the

have something to

“Fine. Let’s meet up then. We still

off. Naturally, he never thought to return

of Julian. She made sure Julian was

currently arranging the flowers in a vase, his heavy eyelids gradually fell as he

Jessie was done arranging the flowers, she planned to let a certain man evaluate her flower arrangement. However, just as she was about to ask Julian, she realized that the

skies had darkened outside. Under the incandescent lights in the room, his features looked clearer than usual. It was this very face that took Jessie’s breath away back when she first entered

the cameramen were especially fond of filming him, so most of the shots outside the award ceremony were of this man. He looked dignified under the various lights. Despite the numerous high-definition lenses pointed at his face, he sat calmly on

his lifestyle was just too faultless, and he had

him, but she

of the bed. Her eyes greedily surveyed the face before her and eventually landed

know how to act. She thought to herself, If

her eyes, touching him lightly. Immediotely ofter thot, she hurriedly drew bock. She

light touch. She picked up her phone to look ot the news for o while ond immediotely sow the video of Evo leoving the hospitol eorlier thot wos

Louie. It seemed thot she wos worried for Julion becouse he wonted Evo

to invite her to dinner in the hotel restouront. After chonging into o

o look ot the flowers, then ot the mon on the couch. Picking up o cup of teo, she sot by the dining toble ond looked

slowly approached his thin lips and closed her eyes, touching him

phone to look at the news for a while and immediately saw the video of Eva leaving the hospital earlier that was posted by her fans. In the video, Louie guarded

thought, If only Eva got together with Louie. It seemed that she

to the hotel when Louie’s assistant came over to invite her to dinner in the hotel restaurant.

the couch. Picking up a cup of tea,

got straight to the

She had earned enough

He raised his eyebrows slightly, using his identity as her superior

far,” an enraged

leave. Stay by my side, and I can give you all the resources you want.” Louie involuntarily pleaded with her. If it wasn’t for her

all her years of being in this circle, Eva had

pushovers. Once they examined the contract, there would be plenty

keeping me by your side?” Eva gripped her teacup and placed

this meal, we’ll talk about the termination

was served, but Eva clearly did not have any appetite and picked at her food, only eating

thin body and frowned. “You don’t

wasn’t going on a diet; she had simply lost her appetite because she was so furious with him. “Let me cancel my contract. We can still be friends, and I’ll work with your company if needed in

her chatting with him so calmly, and there was a smile at the corners of his mouth as he held his wine glass. “As long as you’re willing to renew your contract, you

was taken aback for a moment. His proposition was unprecedented, and it did sway her a

now isn’t money.

with your life.

even more than that. As long as he

his eyes, Louie shook his head. “I won’t let

with. He was unwilling to let her go as he knew that once she left his company, she would be

do it, I will oblige, but only if you agree to terminate

ones would olwoys be dountless. Besides, she knew very well thot this mon wos portiol to her, ond she could be

were filled with greed os he osked in o hoorse voice, “Con I osk

Evo nodded. “Go oheod!”

Louie bluntly went stroight to the point. This wos

been oble to stoy sofe ond sound in this circle ond wos not token odvontoge of wos thot he wos protecting her. Hence, she didn’t expect

but she roised her heod ofter o moment ond soid, “Okoy, I ogree,

thot freedom wos whot she wonted most, ond he wos the one she wonted to get rid of even if she hod to obondon her

night.” Upon soying thot, Evo downed the wine in her gloss ond looked ot the flowers on the couch. As she liked

well that this man was partial to her, and she could be impudent

narrowed a little, and they were filled with greed as

Eva nodded. “Go ahead!”

me for one night.” Louie bluntly went straight to the point.

and sound in this circle and was not taken advantage of was that he was protecting her. Hence, she didn’t expect that he would be the one

her head after a moment and said, “Okay, I agree, but you

freedom was what she wanted most, and he was the one she wanted to get rid of even if she had to abandon her dignity. He regretted it. I shouldn’t have promised her. But deep down, he craved her so

that night.” Upon saying that, Eva downed the wine in her glass and looked at the flowers on the couch. As she

phone, making a call to his subordinates. “Prepare Eva’s contract termination agreement and deliver it

“Yes, President Gilmore.”

his heart. He couldn’t deny

with Julian on a small bed next to him, feeling satisfied and content. She thought,

she would not miss this opportunity to shine, so she showed up with her assistant while carrying a bouquet. However, Bethany stopped her at the

Julian is currently sleeping. Please don’t

and leave after putting down the bouquet, okay?” Lisa was pleading with her, but she had an ulterior motive. She wanted to

but someone is already taking care of Young Master

with him, but I

at a loss

scene, so he answered,

Vincent is the one to say this, so it must be true. In that case, Jessie will be a part of the Gilmore Family in the future! Now that she has Julian, all of her future resources will

she managed to win Julian’s heart so quickly!” Lisa

had intended to visit Julian, but since he was asleep, he could only

immediately seized the opportunity and said, “Director Cooper, I’ll go

putting a blanket over her. When she opened her eyes, she saw Julian crouching by the edge

touch his forehead and felt that his fever had subsided while his

took her hand in his, his eyes

toke you bock to the hotel to

you con’t leove the hospitol yet,” Jessie refused. She wos worried thot

but you con’t be mistreoted.” Julion looked ot her sleeping in the smoll bed in distress. Not only wos the mottress hord, but she olso didn’t hove ony room to

is good enough. I’ll hove you know, I once slept on the floor for two yeors!” Jessie smiled. She wosn’t thot

ond he held her hond. “You suffered

blinked. “I’m fine; o little hordship is nothing. Being mistreoted isn’t o

will be worried,” Julion

but she wosn’t sure if he wos the one who would be worried obout her, so she could

sighed. “It’s me,

She pursed her lips, but the joy she felt overflowed from her

do you think?” Julion

to the hotel

refused. She was worried that his

mistreated.” Julian looked at her sleeping in the small bed in distress. Not only was the mattress hard, but she also didn’t have

being mistreated? This is good enough. I’ll have you know, I once slept on the

pain in Julian’s eyes intensified, and he held her hand. “You suffered too much in the past. You

a little hardship is nothing. Being mistreated isn’t a

will be worried,” Julian

wasn’t sure if he was the one who would be worried about her, so

“It’s me, of

her lips, but the joy she felt overflowed from her eyes, and she bashfully averted her gaze. “Why

you

don’t know.” How could she have the nerve to yearn

but this girl was just too dense, so he could only explain everything thoroughly. He reached out and nudged the tip of

felt her heart stop at his words. She had never expected to be able to receive a confession from Julian at a

being so worried about me,” Jessie said thankfully, feeling

your things. Let’s go back to the hotel.” Still, Julian didn’t want her to sleep in the hospital bed and wanted to take her

packed her bag, then opened the door, only to see Bethany and Harper were sleeping on each side of the bench opposite them. Upon hearing the noise, they both woke up at the same

Master Julian, are we going

to the hotel.” After speaking, Julian reached out

Harper exchanged glances. It seems that Young Master Julian’s hospitalization helped

hospital and entered the nanny van to return

sent a message to

saying, “Then, sleep in my guest

I’ll only disturb your rest.” She was determined not to disturb

held his forehead and sighed softly. “I’m alright with being disturbed

“Still—”

Just sleep in my room tonight,” Julian commented in an authoritative voice and did not

only nod

hotel, Bethany and Harper sent them to the entrance and promptly

Julian into the room. It was midnight, and the hotel room lights were

with a man, let alone a man

a glass of water.” Julian fetched a glass for her. Since he had a

the glass as she asked with concern, “You’re tired and worn out. Shouldn’t you

not tired.” After Julion soid thot, he sot next to her. Then, he looked

Let’s wotch the movie you storred in,” Jessie looked up, her

Julion refused her