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.

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 family, so my parents

the cat in her arms fell onto the

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 to sign the contract

eyes, feeling the looming dizziness. It was

heart by force? So, he was buried without a heart? Why was

her eyes. “Are you sure about this?

swear by my family’s name that I’m telling the truth. 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 so well? Isn’t it because

not because of love, but

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 so that you

true. You’re lying!” Ellen closed her eyes, not

My parents didn’t

home, and the color drained from Ellen’s visage. Tears began streaming down her cheeks. Ellen had previously made a few speculations regarding

the price for Kevin’s

do that? How could they

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

of Ellen as she raised her voice.

to be ready to give up on him. They were about to remove the machine from Kevin

at that! I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this all those years.” Daggers pierced Ellen’s heart. It pained her to know that her poor brother

way

and powerless? I will never step back from this!” Ire had long prevailed over Ellen’s rationality. Now, the Presgrave Family was

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

an infuriated Ellen was none other than

long ago. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?” Selena comforted Ellen

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

right away, and Selena pouted. Alas. Only if

down her cheeks, yet her heart was blazing in grief, hatred, and anger. They stirred her

seconds as the doorbell did not stop ringing. Next, she opened the door to reveal a

standing in front of him had a resentful

pointed at his chest. “Does that belong

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

However, he was grateful to God for bestowing such

suddenly burst into tears. Her body teetered,

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

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

heart squeezed. “Do

tear-streaked Ellen gazed at him. “Why? Do you feel accepting his heart is a matter of a

all the way here to apologize to you,”

to my late brother for taking his heart by force, you monsters!” The

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

despair, she mired into a self-destructive predicament.

me that you won’t do

company, and I won’t touch any of those things you bought me. I don’t

anxiety, but he tried to soften his voice. “Ellen, we can work this out. Please don’t leave

the man was confused by her actions. The steady heartbeat rendered it impossible to fight back the tears in her eyes; he dared not move a muscle, letting her be. No one knew how much he wanted to wipe off those tears, but he knew she would hate whatever he

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

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

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

will protect her and love her

began packing her stuff behind the door while anything that

pulled over by Olivia. “I found a way

It was

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

the chase!” He glared

forced 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 her the same story. That way, she’ll resent the Presgrave Family

paused momentarily. “Are we not gonna

we be afraid?” Olivia rebuked confidently. “Do you think she can seriously pull something on us? Even if that happens, we can just settle

support, Ellen can take away half 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

Presgrave Family was no longer their backup, and all they

Jared had given her. She looked at her phone, which was a present from him, and felt relieved for not

year to validate Selena’s words. In the end, she contacted Connor, whom

floor when the dialer’s

I have something to ask you.” She

about your brother’s donation to the

sign the agreement? Did they force us to donate Kevin’s

a cold sweat, but he figured it was fine to lie to make her hate the Presgrave Family.

would they

world, Ellie. How can someone like us go against a rich family? Even if they didn’t tell us what

Connor, be honest. Is this

lie to you? They forced me to sign the papers. After the surgery, they even stopped by to thank us and stuffed us with money. Ellie,

vivid image in her memory. On the day Kevin passed away, a few men in suits came to Connor’s place

upon her chest and stifled her breath, whereas tears

and the tad of guilt in him remained only for a fleeting second, though. “Ellie,

be afraid?” She bit her lip. “They can just come right

least that’s how it is

pain?” A sharp

to enter the operating room.” Connor glossed it

in so much pain. They dug his heart out before he

card to insert it into her old phone. Next,

her.

a single word as tears streamed down her cheeks. The sheer sight

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

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 over when he finally grabbed her wrist. “Ellen, don’t

hand. I don’t wanna see you.” She turned around with

to see me?” he

in this lifetime.”

you see me if I return Kevin’s heart?” He patted his chest. “If you

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

wait for another donor. If you want it back,

recalled that he was only ten back then. The poor boy was bedridden, waiting to be saved, so who was she to despise him for that? Although she

it now that you own it. It’s just hard for me to look you in the face.” She wiped her tears and got into

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

he pre-empted her. “You’re welcome, miss. You should stay away

she reminded. Later, she averted her gaze back to

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

we go

“Sir, are you alright?”

shook his head before something occurred to him. “Follow her. I have to know where she’s heading

to stay, it would be

heaved a sigh,

emotional upon knowing the

wondered why the permissible deal sounded like a deception to Ellen. He fully believed in his parents, who would never do

the news from the Aguirre Family. Perhaps

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

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