Never Too Far Novel

“Next question. What does Connor have to do with Kevin?”

“After Kevin’s parents passed away, Connor—his uncle—and his wife Olivia became his guardians.”

Something invisible squeezed Jared’s heart and he placed his hand on his chest. “Do you know that Kevin had a younger sister called Ellen?”

“I think he did, but she was very young back then. We didn’t look into much of that family.”

“Are you aware that Connor hogged all that compensation money and consigned his niece to an old lady? He did not look after her for the past sixteen years.” Jared could not smother the pain in his chest.

He realized that Ellen’s brother was the one who donated his heart to him, and Ellen did not know a thing about the donation. Otherwise, she would’ve told him when they were at the cemetery.

Darn it! He slammed his hand on the steering wheel, making Benjamin flinch. Benjamin hurriedly comforted, “Mr. Presgrave, calm down. You mustn’t be too emotional!”

“You had one job and yet, Ellen did not get her due at all. Connor and his family took all the credit. She has had a hard time since young. You guys are partly responsible for that.” Jared’s expression turned grim. His fist could’ve landed on Benjamin’s face if he did not rein in his temper.

Benjamin was so frightened that he let off the steam by criticizing Connor. “How can they not look after the donor’s sister and enjoy the money by themselves? They’re ridiculous!”

Benjamin suddenly thought of the rumor that had been circulating in the company. I think the rumored girl is Ellen too. Are they the same person? Gosh… He’s gonna tell me off for sure.

“Find out how Connor spent that money. I’ll ask Ellen to get ’em back.”

“What about this time? Are you still going to give him money?”

“I will, but not to them.” Jared snorted coldly. For the past few years, Jared had already repaid Connor enough for signing the contract back then. Now, it was time for Ellen to reclaim what was rightfully hers. Jared would make it happen.

Then, he requested Benjamin to get out of the car so that he could go to Ellen, whom he missed so much. Strong guilt was fettering him. I have her brother’s heart, yet she is clueless about it. How am I supposed to tell her the truth so that she won’t get hurt?

Connor left the cafe when he happened to see Benjamin entering a car. “Mr. Stark, could you give me a lift?”

Benjamin could not bother to straighten up his attitude. During the past sixteen years, he was in charge of handling Connor’s matters and requests. Connor was so shameless that he could send his daughter abroad to pursue her studies by using the Presgrave Family’s name. Yet, the donor’s sister did not benefit from anything.

“Sorry, but I have a meeting to rush to,” Benjamin replied as his visage grim.

The sensitive Connor noticed the change in Benjamin’s attitude, so he bent over. “What’s the matter, Mr. Stark? Did I say something wrong?”

“Mr. Aguirre, I think you should figure things out on your own. There are certain principles that we must abide by as humans. How could you cross the line?” Benjamin wanted to teach him a lesson.

Connor’s neck turned crimson. “I can’t follow. What did I do?”

“Say, does the donor have a sister? Did she benefit anything from the deal? Do you know how angry President Presgrave is?”

Connor’s mind went blank, and he was jittery. “Mr. Presgrave already found out about it?”

“He’s not an idiot. Just who are you trying to fool?”

Did Mr. Presgrave see through my lies? Is he aware of Kevin’s identity?

Connor’s countenance turned pale for embarrassing himself. He resented Olivia for coming up with this horrible idea. Forget about the money, I bet Jared would not even wish to see me anymore.

Benjamin drove his car away, leaving Connor standing all alone in the same spot. It took him a while before he called Olivia.

“Honey, how did it go?”

“Your idea is literally stupid. Mr. Presgrave has found out that Ellen’s brother is Kevin, and you told me to blabber all those nonsense to him? Do you think he’ll give us the money now?”

“What? He knows that Kevin is Ellen’s brother? Honey, did you actually do as I say? How can you be this silly? I was just thinking out loud. You shouldn’t have taken it seriously.” She refused to take the blame.

“You! I-If we don’t get the money, you’re gonna get it from me.” His ineptitude made him vent his anger on his wife.

Meanwhile, Olivia was an irresponsible person who never acknowledged her wrongdoings. The money received from Jared was the reason Connor and Olivia could put up with each other this long. Otherwise, they would’ve separated ways eons ago.

Connor’s face was burning in embarrassment.

We’re done for. We’re not getting another penny, and now Ellen’s gonna come after us.

On the other hand, Olivia was equally livid after the phone call. She dialed Selena right away.

“What? Mr. Presgrave found out that Kevin is Ellen’s brother? We’re doomed, Mom. If Ellen knows that we didn’t give her a share of the money, she’s gonna take her revenge!”

“I doubt she dares! She was way too young back then. What did she even know at that age? Even if we had given some money to her, would she have been able to use it?” Olivia acted like an elderly person with a conventional mindset.

“Mom, it’s possible, if Mr. Presgrave helps her. With his backing, she might be able to take away half of the assets we own right now.” Selena, who had been to college, knew the laws better.

“What? Is it that serious? What are we gonna do?” Olivia was surprised because Selena had a point.

“We mustn’t sit still doing anything. It’s possible that Ellen will hate Mr. Presgrave if she knows that he has Kevin’s heart. Let’s hope that she’ll hate him.”

“Ellen is head over heels for him, though. Why will she hate him?”

“Tell her that the Presgrave Family set Kevin up when he hadn’t passed away. That way, she’ll resent the Presgraves to the bone.”

“Will it work?” Olivia was at her wit’s ends.

“Trust me. Mom, just sit back and watch. I’m sure this will drive a wedge between her and Mr. Presgrave. Alright. I think I should give her a call right now.” Selena had to be one step ahead of Jared before he revealed the truth to Ellen.

Selena, who was at a hotel, dialed Ellen’s number. Meanwhile, Ellen was patting the cat on the balcony. Life was peaceful and wonderful at that moment.

Suddenly, her phone rang. Her brows knitted when she realized that it was a call from Selena.

Why is she calling me?

Ellen decided to ignore it, but Selena did not stop calling her.

Did something happen to Uncle Connor? His affair is a time bomb after all.

She answered the call at long last, albeit with an unfriendly tone. “Hello.”

“Thank God you answered the call. You know what? I overheard something shocking and I must tell you this.” Selena sounded urgent.

What is it?”

“It’s about Kevin. I overheard my parents talking. It is shocking.”

Ellen frowned. “Just tell me.”

“Listen, you better break up with Mr. Presgrave. Don’t hesitate or you’ll feel sorry for your brother,” emphasized Selena on purpose.

“Why?” Ellen could not understand the situation.

“Just do as I say, or you’ll regret it.”

“I’m done talking to you.” Ellen knew that favorable words would never come out of Selena’s lips.

cut to the chase. “Wait, hold on! I’ll tell you. Back then, someone wanted Kevin’s heart, and my parents didn’t dare to tell you. They’re from a powerful

the core. Even the cat in her arms fell onto the

who the donee was? Jared Presgrave. He was in dire need of a healthy heart, and his parents found us. They threatened Dad and Mom and offered a deal, so they had no choice but

her eyes, feeling the looming dizziness. It was a huge

a heart? Why was it Jared? Why did it

in her eyes. “Are you sure about this?

his looks, money, and gentle side. Think about it, why is he treating you so well? Isn’t it because of Kevin? He’s afraid of karma!” Selena prattled nonsense, but it

not because of love, but to repay

just because he’s nice to you. He’s waiting for the perfect timing to tell you the truth so that you won’t resent him that much,”

can’t be true. You’re lying!” Ellen closed her eyes, not wanting to

parents about how we became rich overnight. Guess why. It’s impossible to be this loaded with Dad’s salary, right? Well, it’s all from the Presgraves. My parents didn’t give you a single penny because you were young back then. They have been saving it for your dowry.” Selena was set on making Ellen hate Jared for

home, and the color drained from Ellen’s visage. Tears began streaming down her cheeks. Ellen had previously made a few speculations regarding the reason behind her uncle’s sudden wealth; even the other relatives gushed about it furtively

was the price

could they take Kev’s heart just like that?!” Ellen

could they do? It’s the Presgraves! They’re the top dogs! Their assets alone are enough to build a nation. What can we expect from them? A sheer little threat is enough to force my parents to sign the agreement. Otherwise, both of us wouldn’t be able to be here right now. They didn’t have a choice, Ellen.” Selena

the best of Ellen as she raised her voice. “What

my parents to be ready to give up on him. They were about to remove

can’t believe that I didn’t know about this

on the way to see you. We should step

fear the strong ones just because we’re poor and powerless? I will never step back from this!” Ire had long prevailed over Ellen’s rationality. Now, the Presgrave Family was like a devil to

the hotel room. Her idea worked! If Ellen decided not to marry Jared and dwelled in the painful lie, she wouldn’t be in a state to

to face an

found out about it not long

so Selena quickly wrapped it up. “It must be Mr. Presgrave!

call right away, and Selena pouted. Alas. Only if I could witness what’s going

Ellen stared at the door while her hands formed into tight fists. Tears trickled down her cheeks, yet her heart was blazing in grief, hatred, and anger. They stirred her

closed her eyes for a few seconds as the doorbell did not stop ringing. Next, she opened the door

had a resentful gaze.

pointed at his chest. “Does that belong to my

about this? I was going to tell you. The donor was your brother. I just found out

However, he was grateful to God for bestowing such a fate to let him meet her,

into tears. Her body teetered, and she almost

pale complexion, Jared hurriedly hugged her waist to pull her into his

she screamed. She’d rather prop herself against the wall instead of letting him touch

“Do you hate

at him. “Why? Do you feel accepting his heart is

all the

your family should apologize to my late brother for taking his heart by force, you monsters!” The girl in anguish could not

face of her emotional reaction. “Ellen, it’s all my fault. I ran into a serious accident when I was ten. I was barely hanging onto my life when my parents sent me to the hospital. We contacted your uncle, and he agreed. I cannot be any more grateful to your brother. I was able to survive, thanks to him, and my family is eternally grateful to yours. It is only today that I found out you didn’t get your due from the agreement. I’m hurt and angry at your uncle’s family. Ellen, please give me another chance to make it up to you.” Tears welled in his eyes because of how painful it was

mired into a self-destructive predicament. She raised her

promise me that you won’t do anything silly.” He

I’ll get out of here and the company, and I won’t touch any of those things you bought

spurred Jared’s anxiety, but he tried to soften his voice.

tears in her eyes; he dared not move a muscle, letting her be. No one knew

for the cat. After

for real, and if he forgot about it instead, the cat might starve to death. He held the box as she closed

her stance. After all, Connor and Olivia kept the seven-year-old girl

I will protect her and love her forever in her

door while anything that

by Olivia. “I found a way to stop Ellen

It was a monotonous

because of Mr. Presgrave. What happens to her if they break up? Plus, we’ve gone bust. If she insists on getting the money from us, we’ll have no choice but to sell the house

chase!”

even bear the sight of Mr. Presgrave now. If she happens to call you, just tell her the same story. That way, she’ll resent the Presgrave Family to her bones,” she

we

“Do you think she can seriously pull

window, and I have two families to feed. I won’t be able to choke up the

and all they had left was the assets in their possession right now. As an afterthought, he became petty. Right,

how many things Jared had given her. She looked at her phone, which was a present from him, and felt relieved for not discarding her old one yet. It

wanted to know the details of what happened that year to validate Selena’s

when the dialer’s name gave him a bag of nerves, but he picked

something to ask you.” She sounded unusually

about your brother’s donation to the Presgrave Family,

you to sign the agreement? Did they force us to

into a cold sweat, but he figured it was fine to lie to make her hate the Presgrave Family. “Yeah, they did. If I

they

if they didn’t tell us what they’d

Connor, be honest. Is

to sign the papers. After the surgery, they even stopped by to thank us and

Kevin passed away, a few men in suits came to Connor’s place and gave a credit card right

upon her chest and stifled her

remained only for a fleeting second, though. “Ellie, listen. You must not be at odds with the Presgrave Family. They’re loaded and powerful. If you make a ruckus, you’ll be in danger.” He tried to make her perceive the Presgraves as a formidable

afraid?” She bit her lip.

blessing. At least that’s how it is for normal people like us. Don’t

Connor, was Kevin… in much pain?” A sharp pang pricked Ellen’s chest, making it impossible

to enter the operating room.” Connor glossed it

so much pain. They dug

SIM card to insert it into her old phone. Next, she pulled out her luggage and opened the door. To her

approached her. “Ellen, where

tears streamed down her cheeks.

a ride.” He entered

head away, hurting the man with her reaction. In actuality, he wished that she would yell or vent her emotions at him

and walked straight to the entrance of the neighborhood. She was pulling her luggage as he trailed behind

hand. I don’t wanna see you.”

to see me?” he questioned

lifetime.” She

see me if I return Kevin’s heart?” He patted his chest. “If you hate the idea of me using

back at him with frantic eyes, fearing that he might do something stupid as he

in her gaze and added, “I can wait for another donor. If you

boy was bedridden, waiting to be saved, so who was she to despise him for that?

to look you

his hands were placed against the window, the driver stepped on the pedal and almost dragged the sophisticated man along the road. Jared’s knees were on the ground, prompting her to pop her head out of the window to check on him. At the same time, six

to reprimand the driver when he pre-empted her. “You’re welcome, miss. You should stay away from

Later, she averted her gaze back to the neighborhood, which shrank into a tiny dot. I wonder

bodyguards gazed at Jared’s

we go to

“Sir, are you alright?”

to him. “Follow her. I have to know where

stay, it would be difficult to track

while Jared heaved a sigh, her final words

Ellen shouldn’t be that emotional upon

consent from the other party before proceeding with the transplant, so it was not a forceful deal. Therefore, he wondered why the permissible deal sounded like a deception to Ellen. He

the news from the Aguirre Family. Perhaps they contorted

after their money under Jared’s support. Thus, they decided to seize the chance to drive a wedge between

based on how the Aguirres told her the story. If they lied that it was a forceful donation, she would resent Jared