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.

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 family,

the core. Even the cat in

was forced to donate his heart. Wanna know 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

dizziness. It was

force? So, he was buried without a heart? Why was it Jared? Why did it

“Are you sure about

I’m telling you for your sake. Don’t be fooled by his looks, money, and gentle side. Think about it, why is he treating you

saying Jared treated Ellen well not because of love, but to

you’re too naive. You fall for him just because he’s nice to you. He’s waiting for the perfect timing to tell you the truth

lying!” Ellen closed her eyes,

my 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

a few speculations regarding the

was the price

could they take Kev’s heart just like

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

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

that the doctor told my parents to be ready to give up on him. They were about to remove the machine from Kevin when the Presgraves came.” Selena made an excuse for

How could they take his heart away, by force at that! I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this all those years.” Daggers pierced Ellen’s heart.

Ellen. I bet Mr. Presgrave is on the way to see you. We should step back

strong ones just because we’re poor and powerless? I will never step back from this!” Ire had long

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

person who would need to face an infuriated Ellen was none other than

just found out about it not long ago. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

them heard the doorbell ring, so Selena quickly wrapped it up. “It must be Mr. Presgrave! Don’t open the door, Ellen! Honestly, I still

the call right away, and Selena pouted. Alas. Only if I could witness what’s going on there with my own

her heart was blazing in grief, hatred, and anger. They stirred her heart into turmoil, urging her to murder the

as the doorbell did not stop ringing. Next, she opened

a resentful gaze. It was as

pointed at his chest. “Does that belong

know about this? I was going to tell you. The donor was your

he thought about it on his way here, the guiltier he felt. However, he was grateful to God for bestowing such a fate to let him meet her,

suddenly burst into tears. Her

hugged her waist to pull her into his arms. The dizzy Ellen shoved him

go of me! Don’t touch me!” she screamed. She’d rather prop herself against the wall

squeezed. “Do you hate

feel accepting his heart is a matter of a

all the way here

your family should apologize to my late brother for taking his heart by force, you monsters!”

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

innocuous beast in despair, she mired into a self-destructive predicament. She raised

promise me that you won’t do anything

you more, Jared Presgrave. I’ll get out of here and the company, and I won’t touch any of those

anxiety, but he tried to soften his voice.

rendered it impossible to fight back the tears in her eyes;

Ellen returned to the living room for the cat. After settling it into the box, she gave

forgot about it instead, the cat might starve to death. He held the box as she closed the door loudly, failing to bring himself

understand her stance. After all, Connor and Olivia kept the seven-year-old girl in the dark, so how could Ellen not

protect her and love

behind the door while anything that

home only to be pulled over by Olivia. “I found a way to stop Ellen from coming

It was

to her if they break up? Plus, we’ve gone bust. If she insists on getting

chase!” He

us to sign the donation agreement. She can’t even bear the sight of Mr. Presgrave now. If she happens to call you, just tell

“Are we not gonna

afraid?” Olivia rebuked confidently. “Do you think she can seriously pull something on

of our assets at any time. Now, my investment has gone out of the window, and I have two families to feed. I won’t be able to choke up the money for Ellen. It’s not bad to put up

they would be able to get out of trouble again, yet Benjamin could not care less about them. The Presgrave Family was no longer their backup, and all they had left was the assets in their possession right now. As an afterthought, he became petty. Right, we mustn’t give

her. She looked at her phone, which was a

wanted to know the details of what happened that year to validate Selena’s words. In the end, she contacted Connor,

going to drink in the hall on the second floor when the dialer’s name gave him a

have something to ask you.” She sounded

your brother’s donation to

they threaten you to sign the agreement? Did

make her hate the

would they have

Ellie. How can someone like us go against a rich family? Even if they

be honest. Is

to you? They forced me to sign the papers. After the surgery, they even stopped by

a vivid image in her memory. On the day Kevin passed away, a few men in suits came to Connor’s place and gave a credit card right in front of

upon her chest and stifled

Ellie. Kevin has passed for many years. You should lead a good life too. If anything happens, I will help you.” Connor comforted her, and the tad of guilt in him 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

afraid?” She bit her lip.

live a peaceful life is our blessing. At least that’s how it is for normal people like us. Don’t ever gamble your life. And one more

in much pain?” A sharp

to enter

much pain. They

to leave everything Jared gave her. She removed the SIM card to insert it into her

approached her.

streamed down

can give you a ride.” He entered the elevator with her while holding the

the man with her reaction. In actuality, he wished that she would yell or vent her emotions at him as long as it was not a cold treatment. At that point, it

the elevator and walked straight to the entrance of the neighborhood. She was pulling her luggage as he trailed behind her. She hailed a cab, and it pulled

of my hand. I don’t wanna see you.”

to see me?” he questioned

lifetime.”

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

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

“I can wait for another donor. If you want

saved, so who was she to despise him for that? Although she did not wish to see him, she had never thought of

me to look you in

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 bodyguards

he pre-empted her. “You’re welcome, miss. You should stay away from a scumbag like him. A handsome

dangerous,” she reminded. Later, she averted her gaze back to the

the other hand, the bodyguards gazed at Jared’s scraped

we go

“Sir, are you alright?”

head before something occurred to him. “Follow her.

to stay, it would be difficult to track her down in

Jared heaved a sigh, her final

be that emotional upon

not a forceful deal. Therefore, he wondered why the permissible

from the Aguirre Family.

Family feared the notion of Ellen coming after their money under Jared’s support. Thus, they decided to seize the chance to

her the story. If they lied