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

to the core. Even the cat

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

feeling the looming dizziness.

So, he was buried without a heart? Why was it

forming in her eyes. “Are you sure about

be fooled by his looks, money, and gentle side. Think about it, why is he treating

well not because of love, but to repay

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

You’re lying!” Ellen closed

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

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

was the price

they take Kev’s heart just like

enough to force my parents to sign the agreement. Otherwise, both of us wouldn’t be

got the best of Ellen as she raised her voice. “What did they do to take Kev’s heart away? Tell

on him. They were about to remove the machine

away, by force at that! I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this

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

will never step back from this!” Ire had long prevailed over Ellen’s rationality. Now, the Presgrave Family was like a devil

hand, Selena sneered into the mirror in the hotel room. Her idea worked! If Ellen decided not to

face an infuriated Ellen was none other than

about it not long ago. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?” Selena comforted

moment, both of them heard the doorbell ring, so Selena quickly wrapped it up. “It must be Mr. Presgrave! Don’t open

Only if I could witness what’s going on there with

formed into tight fists. Tears trickled down her cheeks, yet her heart was blazing in grief, hatred, and anger. They stirred her heart into turmoil,

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

had a resentful gaze. It was as if

her teeth, she pointed at his

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

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 body teetered,

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

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

heart squeezed. “Do

feel accepting

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

his heart by force, you

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

a self-destructive predicament. She raised her head, revealing her hatred-filled eyes. “You done?

go, but promise me that you

me hate you more, Jared Presgrave. I’ll get out of here and the company, and I won’t

soften his

her eyes;

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

death. He held the box as she closed the door loudly, failing to bring himself to leave

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

love her forever

behind the door while anything that did not

only to be pulled over by Olivia. “I found a

It was

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

cut to the chase!” He glared at

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

momentarily. “Are we not gonna take

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

She’s right. With Mr. Presgrave’s 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 up the money for Ellen. It’s not bad to put up with it

The Presgrave Family was no longer their backup, and all they had left

Jared had given her. She looked at her phone, which was a present from him, and felt

happened that year to validate Selena’s words. In the end, she contacted

the hall on the second floor when the dialer’s name gave him a bag of nerves, but he picked up the phone

have something to ask you.” She sounded

brother’s donation to the

you to sign the agreement? Did they force us to

a cold sweat, but he figured it was fine to lie to make her hate

they

How can someone like us go against a rich family? Even if they didn’t tell us what they’d

be honest. Is

they even stopped by

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

weight sat upon her chest and stifled her breath, whereas tears wet her

fleeting second, though. “Ellie, listen. You must not be

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

least that’s how it is for normal people

much pain?” A sharp pang

to enter the operating

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

She removed the SIM card to insert it into her old phone. Next, she pulled out

gentle Jared approached her. “Ellen, where

not utter a single word as tears streamed down her cheeks. The sheer sight of him made

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

he wished that she would yell or vent her emotions

luggage as he trailed behind her. She

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

you want to see me?” he questioned

in this lifetime.”

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

hurriedly looked back at him with frantic eyes, fearing that

wait for another donor. If you

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 him, she had never thought of getting it

own it. It’s just hard for me to look

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

You should stay away from a scumbag like him. A handsome man with a slick

she reminded. Later, she averted her gaze back to the neighborhood, which

the other hand, the bodyguards gazed

we go to

“Sir, are you alright?”

before something occurred to him. “Follow

to stay, it would be difficult to track her

drove off while Jared heaved a sigh, her final words

what went wrong. Ellen shouldn’t be that emotional

a forceful deal. Therefore, he wondered

the Aguirre Family. Perhaps they contorted the

made sense if he put it that way. The Aguirre Family feared the notion of Ellen coming after their money under Jared’s support.

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