Never Too Far Novel

Ellen ordered only one dish before handing over the menu to Jared, who ordered six dishes in one go. At that moment, her phone, which displayed Garrett’s phone number, rang and tightened her chest.

“Excuse me, Mr. Tillman, I have an incoming call.” She glanced at the room before taking a seat on the couch. “Hi, Uncle Garrett.”

“What are you doing, Ellen? Why haven’t you registered your name? Are you doing this because you don’t wanna share the money?”

“Sorry, Uncle Garrett, but I have work—”

“What’s so important about work? This is of utmost urgency! I need the money, so stop dilly-dallying!”

Tears of grievance pooled in her eyes, prompting her to lower her head. “It’s not on purpose, Uncle Garrett. I’m just busy with work—”

“I don’t care. You’d better give me the money by Friday while I’m still nice,” he threatened.

Ellen was a nonentity to Garrett’s family. Besides, she alone could do nothing even if they treated her like a rat. It was safe to say that money had awakened the evil in them.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Garrett.”

“You only have a few days. If you don’t settle the issue by then, I’ll cause a stir at your workplace. Let’s see if you’re allowed to work still when the time comes.” He hurt her with mean words before terminating the call.

Ellen’s body trembled as despair surged in her. If Jessica were here, she would not have allowed such a thing to happen.

Knowing that the call had ended, Jared swept a glance at her only to see tears trickling down and wetting her grey dress. He sprang up and crouched in front of her. “Did something happen?”

She blamed herself for showing her forlorn side to him, so she quickly wiped her tears off. “Nothing. Something flew into my eyes. That’s why.”

Yet, the unbidden tears streamed nonstop. Those gorgeous, teary eyes could easily make one feel bad.

The weird sensation flooded Jared again as he watched her crying, stifling his chest so hard that he could barely breathe.

“You can talk to me about anything.” His voice sounded airy.

Ellen bit her rosy lip. “Wouldn’t that be annoying?”

“Not at all. Just feel free to talk to me.” He seated himself next to her as he was all ears.

She took a deep breath while thinking, Where should I start first? I think he should know the entirety of the situation, or he won’t be able to follow.

“My parents passed away when I was young, so my uncle fostered my elder brother and me, but my brother left because of a serious illness. I didn’t even get to see him in his last moments.” Ellen felt hot behind her eyes, and he drew a few pieces of tissue for her since it was close to him.

She wiped her tears while continuing, “Then, my uncle sent me to my aunt’s place. Jessica treated me like I was her granddaughter. We only had each other, but life was great. To me, she was my grandmother.”

At that point, another stream of tears ran down her cheeks, and she choked on her voice. “But she left me too. I’m all alone again.”

Jared sympathized with her past. “So, is someone giving you a hard time now?”

“It’s all because of my grandmother’s demolished house. She did not apply for adoption, so she’s not my official guardian. Instead, my uncle is the one on the papers.”

“Now, my relatives want their share of the demolition payment. I’m still new to the company, and there’s a lot for me to catch up with, so I couldn’t go to the authority to transfer my name yet. My uncle called because he’s angry that I went to work instead of solving the issue first. If I drag things out any longer, he said he’s going to make a scene at work so that I’ll lose my job. ”

Now that Ellen recounted the whole story, she felt utterly helpless. She had no intention to be all crybaby in front of such a handsome guy, but she could not help it. It hurt too much.

“How could they? They’ve seriously gone overboard.” Even Jared was exasperated as an outsider.

“It’s not like I’m doing it on purpose, but I can’t apply for leave when there’s a handover going on. Astoria is going to leave the company to get married soon. If I don’t receive training for my jurisdiction these days, I won’t be able to continue my work,” she explained.

“The payment is meant for only you. They don’t have the right to take it from you. You don’t have to split the money,” he reasoned.

“But I-I’m not Grandma’s family on paper. I won’t be able to get the money either.” Ellen was at her wit’s end.

“You can if you apply for an adoption certificate. No one can take the money away from you.”

“But my grandmother is not around anymore. Is it still possible?”

“Why not? You’ve been living under the same roof for sixteen years, and she acknowledged your relationship. Even if the law is dead, you can find something to prove it.”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds. I’m stuck at the procedure.” Ellen had no alternatives to solve the problem.

“I can help.” Jared could not resist the urge to intervene in the issue. Although he did not know why he could not bear the sight of her dwelling on sadness, it pained him to see her cry.

“Huh? You can?” As it was a situation where she needed help desperately, it warmed her heart to have someone offering help.

“Yes. I have a bunch of great lawyers who can help.”

“Really? That’s great! I can’t be any more grateful to you!” She expressed her gratitude vehemently to her savior.

The waiters began to serve the dishes just at the right time. Jared urged her to fill her stomach first and promised to seek help from a lawyer. “Ellen, you should keep the money for yourself. Don’t share it with others. They don’t see you as their family, so you shouldn’t mind them.”

“But—”

“As long as you become your grandmother’s legal adoptive daughter, it’s rightfully yours. No one can take them.”

Still, Garrett and the others’ forceful attitude seeped into her mind. “Got it.”

“Just tell me if you need anything.”

“No, you’ve gone out of your way to help me come this far. I shouldn’t trouble you anymore.” Ellen was grateful.

“Could you pass me your phone for a moment?”

She gave him her phone obediently, and the man frowned at the seriously damaged phone screen. Quietly, he dialed his number with her gadget.

“This is my number. Ring me up if there’s trouble.”

Sweetness and warmth sprang in her chest. She felt honored to have his contact number.

Following that, Jared even drove her home and eased her up by saying there was nothing to worry about regarding the demolition payment. His friend would be able to help her.

Despite the gratitude, Ellen felt sorry to have him take it upon himself. She made up her mind to do everything she could to repay his kindness in the future. If she did not have the chance to do so, she would remember everything he had done for her wholeheartedly.

At 9.00PM, she received a call from Connor. He heard of Garrett’s demand and assured her that he would meet Garrett to talk over it.

Ellen was aware that it would end up like water off a duck’s back to Garrett and the others anyway. They had proven their stance toward the situation and set their heart to get the money.

Now, she would be able to receive the money as long as she could receive an adoptive certificate to prove herself as Jessica’s granddaughter.

On the other hand, Connor was so livid that he lost his appetite for dinner. “How could they possibly do that? Who says that we must share the money with them?”

A guilty Olivia was standing behind him. “Probably because they’re jealous that Ellen will have the money all for herself.”

“What right do they have to demand the money? Aunt Jessica treated Ellen like her biological granddaughter, so she’s the only one with the rightful inheritance for that house.”

“That’s true, but Aunt Lilac is on the bread line. They won’t let such a chance slip through their fingers. Besides, Aunt Jessica didn’t legally adopt Ellen before she passed away.” She dared not reveal that she was the one who led Lilac behind the curtains.

After Connor attempted to pull some strings, he realized it was not something easy to be settled.

“Why don’t we give up on our share? I bet no one can stop Aunt Lilac.” Olivia was happy as long as Ellen would not get the money all for herself.

Bitterness crept into Connor as it would stave off his guilt if Ellen had that money to sustain her life.

Early in the morning, Ellen woke up to receive a notice from the human resource department. She was granted a three-day leave, but she thought it was strange because she did not apply for it.

While questions sprouted in her mind, she had another incoming call from the lawyer Jared introduced her to.

“Miss Reiss, are you available today? We can apply for the adoption certificate.”

“Yes, I am,” she quickly replied.

“Okay. I’ll be on my way to pick you up.”

She had packed up the necessary documents, hoping that they would be of help. Later, a black SUV parked in front of her, and a middle-aged man escorted her into the car. The sheer look of his neat suit was enough to tell that he was someone elite. His name was Burton Yarrow, and she addressed him as Mr. Yarrow. She narrated the whole story while they were on their way.

Miss Reiss. It’s

I asked the authority, and they said it won’t

to me.” Burton’s voice was as gentle as the spring breeze to Ellen. She figured that it was all thanks to Jared, whose friend was equally capable as he

from his boss, so how could he possibly not do as he was told? Not only

came to know a poor girl. Although Ellen was a

duty was to win the case; he had no right

me, Miss Reiss. I

Burton brought along some materials obtained from other means. Compared to her documents,

up the document and inked her fingerprint

received a newly printed

for another one. Now, I’ll accompany

much, Mr. Yarrow. I can’t be any more grateful to

have to. Instead,

was surprised when Burton mentioned that very person. “Aren’t you Mr.

Mr. Tillman is the one you should thank. He asked for my help, but it was just a trivial matter to

nodded. “I will thank

demolition payment, which was worth about a million dollars. Her mind went blank the

able to live a better life

a fortune either.” Never in her wildest dream had she expected herself to be this lucky. Nonetheless, her heart still ached at the fact that Jessica passed away before the house was demolished. Otherwise, Ellen could have taken the

She sat in the living room

call from Garrett, whom she did not have the nerve to

“Hey, Uncle Garrett.”

money yet?” It was an

not

it?” He was all excited about the idea to

inherit the fortune. Sorry, Uncle Garrett.” She mustered a lot of courage to level

Reiss, you greedy brat! You can’t spend all of it on your own! I don’t care. You must split it among us.” The

Garrett, I’m the rightful heiress by the law. So… The money belongs to me.” She attempted to reason with

Reiss? Don’t blame us for doing this to

her eyes, but she fought them back.

spammed her with multiple calls thereafter, but she did not wish to answer them. Other relatives dialed her number in ones and twos, so she simply switched

decided to crash at someone’s place

time, Olivia received a call from Garrett. “Hey,

that brat, got the money and doesn’t have the

she

the house price in that area and bet she has about a

it was not a large sum to her, she rendered it ‘too much’ for Ellen, hence the need to split it

bet she’ll

did not intend to give in just like that. If they claimed their share, each of

had turned her phone off. That’s weird. Where

hiding out at a hotel. When she recalled Lilac and her family’s attitude, anxiety and terror overcame her,

lying in bed, she grabbed her phone and suddenly remembered she had to thank someone,

such a huge favor. It’s thanks to you that I got

she did not expect he would reply so quickly, ‘You don’t

against it later because she did not want

did not dare to turn on her phone because her

they found out from Olivia where Ellen was working—the Presgrave Group’s

received news that Ellen had not been coming to work these two days because she

Selena heard from her mom that Ellen had received a million dollars of compensation funds, she, too, was jealous. All her current expenses did not even reach such a massive

knew that Lilac’s family was chasing after Ellen for her compensation funds, and her thoughts were the same as her mom’s—both wished that Ellen would divide and distribute the money among them. There will be an exciting show at the company tomorrow. I’ll get Mom to inform me, and

arrived at the company and changed into her uniform. Then, she sat

looking for you yesterday. He says he’s your relative,” said the colleague beside

over Ellen’s face. “What

man, but he doesn’t have a good attitude. Did you offend some

Selena knew where she worked,

they’re my relatives,” Ellen answered

they? I would’ve thought

like she was sitting on pins and needles.

home. Her lips hooked into a smile as she thought, This time, Ellen

then that she saw the Andino siblings appear at the entrance to the lobby, and her face instantly paled. Though they were the ones who were being unreasonable, they seemed more

called out. He was already in his late forties, yet he

don’t mean to make things difficult for you. Just divide the money according to how we discussed

to give in at the last moment. No matter the reason, she did not need to share her

out of greed but to defend

She’s so greedy at a young age and wants to keep all

as we say. Or else, we’ll cause a huge commotion and make you lose your job!” Ajax Andino also took his

is a workplace. You can’t cause a scene here,” Ellen

place for that, so please leave,” the receptionist warned them

does this have to do with you? If you interfere with our matters again, I’ll mess with

was watching the scene with her arms crossed. She came forward

of this situation. Ellen agreed to share the money but then changed her mind. How could she do

immediately called security. “Is

her. His actions were so savage that they startled Ellen, and she came out from behind the reception table and

of the money, you’ll never

broke down as tears pooled in her eyes. She felt so weak and

without uttering anything, wanting to see how Ellen

and ordered, “Ellen, come

that, she felt a

deaf for a few seconds, and everyone else on the scene was rendered shocked. Yet, the culprit remained unfazed. “If you disobey us again, I’ll punish you!”

away, an angry voice suddenly hollered in the lobby. “Let her go.” That voice

front of them, she looked up and saw Jared approaching her. Instantly, she was surprised and embarrassed—surprised because he came to her rescue and embarrassed

turn around. Her eyes instantly bulged, and her lips parted slightly as her

and elegant smile, Jared arrived beside Ellen. Then, he glared at Garrett, who was gripping her wrist, and shoved his hand away before drawing her to his side, threatening, “Who gave you permission to cause

Who is the man that came to

to shock. How is this possible? How did Ellen and President Presgrave know each other? And why is

had suddenly appeared. Garrett snorted. “Ellen, even if your boyfriend comes

had just muttered the word ‘he’ when she saw Jared turning

to hint at her not to explain their relationship because he needed an identity to interfere with this matter anyway. Hence, acting as her boyfriend seemed

Then, her heart started racing, and her

She could not believe

wrist and announced, “With me here, you will never get to mistreat my

was not afraid of the young man before him, even though he knew he

don’t f*cking care who you are, but Ellen has to leave with us.”

as their relative, she would never allow them to be

surrounded them, with two standing before Jared to

you think I’m afraid of you? Even if your president is here, I’ll still take her with me.” Though Garrett was acting arrogantly, he was terrified.

face as he warned, “Sir, our president is standing right before you. If you dare to treat

heard the security’s words, she was so shocked that she could not register what

took a few steps back in shock as she dared not stand beside the Andino siblings anymore. She hid at the side and enviously watched Ellen, who was

thought she would never meet again suddenly appearing before her, and her heart began

they were dumbfounded. What? This young lad is the

were terrified by the young man’s

clothes. “Garrett, let’s

not going to let them off so readily and threatened, “The compensation fund belongs to Ellen only, so if I find out whichever one of you tries to take that from her, I will get my lawyer

supposed to get a share in the

money. Do you think you’re

felt sad for herself. After all, who would want to be enemies

to witness her relatives’ true colors because of this incident. A human being to another, they did not even treat her like one while fighting for a share

hurt and uncomfortable as she watched Jared protect Ellen by speaking up for her

out of my company.” After warning them, Jared

guard leader beckoned

yelled while trying to push the security guards away. “Ellen, you b*tch! I will not give up on this. You

getting kicked out, she immediately seized the chance

looked confusedly at her concerned face. Hasn’t she always acted like

wanted Uncle Garrett to stop, but he had already slapped you. They are so mean. We’re his

landed on Selena, which she mistook as recognizing her. However, she was not expecting

“She’s—”

for saving Ellie, President Presgrave. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do!” Selena’s visage was full of gratitude as she carefully observed the man before her. At that point,

He’s so handsome.

point, Jared was still holding Ellen’s hand. She finally noticed it and quickly withdrew her wrist, looking at him. “Seriously, are you the

his identity and nodded. “Yes. I’m

she stared at him in shock. Heavens! The man who helped me is not an employee here but the president! Who am I to

relieved. So, President Presgrave is only pretending to be her

thanked him as