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.

you. Back then, someone wanted Kevin’s heart, and my parents didn’t dare to tell you. They’re from

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

of a healthy heart, and his parents found us. They threatened Dad and Mom and offered a deal, so they had no choice but

the looming dizziness. It was a

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

eyes. “Are

the truth. I’m telling you for your sake. Don’t be fooled by his looks, money, and gentle side. Think about

well not because of love, but to

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

can’t be true. You’re lying!” Ellen

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

cheeks. Ellen had previously made a few speculations regarding the reason behind her uncle’s sudden wealth; even the other

the price for

that? How could they take Kev’s heart just

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

voice. “What did they do

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

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. It pained her to know that her poor brother could not leave in

Presgrave is on the way to see you. We should step back because we’re

back from this!” Ire had long prevailed over Ellen’s rationality. Now, the Presgrave

If Ellen decided not to marry Jared and dwelled in the

person who would need to face an infuriated

about it not long ago. Don’t do anything stupid,

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

terminated the call right away, and Selena pouted. Alas. Only if I could witness

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

did not stop ringing. Next, she

The girl standing in front of him had a resentful gaze. It was as if she was

her teeth, she pointed at his chest. “Does that belong to

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

felt. However, he was grateful to God for bestowing

burst into tears. Her

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

touch me!” she screamed. She’d rather prop herself

“Do you

“Why? Do you feel accepting

I feel guilty about it. I rushed all the way here to apologize to

taking his heart by force, you monsters!” The girl in anguish could not take it and

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

predicament. She raised her head, revealing her hatred-filled eyes. “You

you won’t do

what I do, it’s none of your business. Do not make me hate you more, Jared Presgrave. I’ll get out of here and the company, and I won’t touch any of those things you bought me.

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

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

for the cat.

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

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

protect her and love her forever in her brother’s

door while anything that did

the other hand, Connor returned home only to be pulled over by Olivia. “I found a way to stop

It was a monotonous

puffed up because of Mr. Presgrave. What happens to her if they break up? Plus, we’ve gone bust. If she insists on getting the

cut to the chase!”

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

we not gonna take

without the Presgrave Family, so why should we be afraid?” Olivia rebuked confidently. “Do you think she can seriously pull something

time. Now, my investment has gone out of the window, and I have two families to feed. I

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

Ellen was forcing herself to pack her stuff. It was not until then that she realized how many things Jared had given her. She looked at

to validate Selena’s words. In

second floor when

have something to ask you.”

brother’s donation to the Presgrave Family, I

threaten you to sign the agreement?

he figured it was fine to lie to make her hate the Presgrave Family. “Yeah, they did.

they have

can someone like us go against a rich family? Even if they didn’t tell us what they’d do to us, we wouldn’t be able to survive after getting

be honest. Is this

me to sign the papers. After the surgery, they even stopped by to thank us and stuffed us with money. Ellie, I was useless. I failed to protect

men in suits came to Connor’s place and gave a credit card right

weight sat upon her chest and stifled her breath,

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,

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

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

pain?” A sharp pang pricked Ellen’s

not sure. We weren’t allowed to enter

must’ve been in so much pain. They dug his

crying. Right now, her only wish was to leave everything Jared gave her. She removed the SIM card to insert

gentle Jared approached her.

down her

He entered the elevator with

turned her head away, hurting 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

her luggage as

go of my hand. I don’t wanna see you.” She turned around with resentful and sorrowful

want to see me?” he questioned

lifetime.” She looked

He patted his chest. “If you hate the idea of me using his heart,

at him with frantic eyes, fearing that he might do

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

she 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 did not wish to see

own it. It’s just hard for me to

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 were running

welcome, miss. You should stay away from a scumbag like him. A handsome man with a slick tongue is

this again. It’s dangerous,” she reminded. Later, she averted her gaze back to the neighborhood, which shrank into a tiny dot. I wonder if he’s

the other hand, the bodyguards gazed at

go

“Sir, are you alright?”

his head before something occurred to him. “Follow

it

that instant, two bodyguards drove off while Jared heaved a sigh, her final words easing his heart a

what went wrong. Ellen shouldn’t be that emotional upon knowing the truth. Clearly, someone provoked

it was not a forceful deal. Therefore, he wondered why the permissible deal sounded like a deception to Ellen. He fully believed

the news from the Aguirre Family. Perhaps

The Aguirre Family feared the notion of Ellen coming after their

based on how the Aguirres told her the story. If they lied that it was a