Never Too Far Novel

Josephine could only placate her mother by saying, “Let’s go, Mom!”

“I’m sorry! My wife was in a hurry.” Connor appeared just then and apologized to them.

Selena took her mother’s hand and glared at Josephine and Heidi. “Let’s go, Mom!”

The two of them then crossed the bridge that connected the dock and the cruise ship. Behind them, Connor was astonished, not expecting Ellen’s wedding to be on such a big island.

“Look over there, Lena! The row of cruise ships is impressive!” Olivia said to her daughter and took photos with her phone.

“It seems that we’re in the right place, Mom.” Selena was excited. She wasn’t interested in Ellen’s wedding; she was there to look for a decent man to marry. All the male guests in attendance were wealthy. If she could marry one of them, that would be a life-changing event for her, and she was there to change her fate.

After crossing the bridge, they were greeted by cars that were meant to pick up the guests. Olivia was amazed by the row of cars. “These are all Rolls-Royces! Never in my life have I dreamed about getting into one of these cars!”

The three of them then entered the vehicle. The view along the road was magnificent. Although Selena appeared calm, she was more excited than her parents. She wasn’t there for the view but for the men.

Upon arriving at a villa, the driver helped them get their luggage into the house.

“Your suitcases are all inside the house. Have a great day, Mr. Aguirre.”

“Thanks,” Connor said.

After the driver left and closed the gates, Olivia immediately entered the villa. “Oh, my gosh! All the villas face the sea! It’s wonderful!”

Meanwhile, Selena ran to the balcony on the third floor and looked at the beach where the guests were taking a stroll or swimming in the sea. She was eager to mingle with them.

She quickly opened her suitcase and fished out her best-looking swimwear. After changing into it, she also put on a gauze jacket. Then, she told her parents, “I’m going to the beach now.”

Connor reminded her by saying, “Be careful!”

“Got it,” Selena replied and left the house.

On the other hand, Olivia sat down and looked at the interior of the villa. She also ordered food delivery and waited for her meal to arrive.

In the meantime, Josephine and her mother entered the villa beside Connor’s. Since Mills was swamped with work, only the two of them were there to attend the wedding this time.

Josephine’s grandfather used to be an influential figure in the political scene. Although he no longer held any important position, he was still powerful in Averna. Although Josephine was born into such a family, the Jacobsons were less mighty than they used to be.

“Get some rest, Mom. I’ll take a walk,” Josephine said to her mother, feeling vexed. While the others happily attended the wedding, she was there for work.

She picked up her camera and was ready to gather some information. Her team leader called her just then. After the call connected, she said, “Hello, Mr. Fox.”

“Hey, Joey! Would you mind taking some photos of the wedding venue so that we will have some news to report?”

“No one is allowed to take photos here.” Josephine turned him down.

“Just one photo will do, alright? The director has been mounting pressure on us,” said Mr. Fox in a threatening tone.

Josephine let out a breath. “I don’t want to tarnish my family’s reputation. Otherwise, my grandpa will kill me. I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“Why are you so obstinate? Just take some photos and send them to us. No one will find out you took the photos,” Mr. Fox said.

“No.”

“I don’t care. Once the wedding is over, I want to see the photos within six hours.” Mr. Fox hung up the call upon finishing his words.

A speechless Josephine walked forward in a particular direction.

All of a sudden, she had a feeling that the team leader had lied about the infamous robber. She had been conned into coming to the wedding to take some photos.

How dare he lie to me?! I already know that the security at the wedding is top-notch. Even if a robber is indeed going to sneak into the venue, he won’t have the guts to steal anything. The elites of different fields have gathered in this place, so they can easily capture the robber.

At that moment, Josephine was no longer in the mood to work. All the same, she just couldn’t stay put and do nothing. Since the beach was so crowded, she decided not to go there. She wanted to go somewhere quiet and take some photos. After all, she was also an amateur photographer in her spare time.

She hopped onto a sightseeing car and said to the driver, “Please take me to somewhere quiet and beautiful. I’d like to take some photos.”

“I know a place that few people are aware of. I can take you there.”

“Yeah, sure. Thanks.”

They moved along the beach, taking about 20 minutes to arrive at their destination. Finally, the driver pointed at the railings and said, “Just go over there. Rarely anyone will come to this area, and the view is terrific. There’s also a smaller island beside the main island.”

“Thank you so much for taking me here!”

“When you want to go back, just dial this number. Someone will come over and pick you up.”

Josephine quickly took a photo of the contact number and bid the driver farewell. As she took a stroll around the area, she couldn’t help but be amazed by the view. It was indeed a naturally aesthetic sight.

She lifted her camera and took some photos. As she walked along the beach, she suddenly caught sight of a living creature.

Oh, my gosh! Is that a mermaid?! An excited Josephine looked in the sea’s direction. Just then, a well-built figure emerged from the sea amidst the waves.

She hurriedly zoomed in with the camera in her hands and focused on a handsome face.

Her pupils dilated. Whoa! That’s a merman, not a mermaid!

The man’s chiseled face was covered with water droplets. It was apparent that he was a biracial man with both local and foreign lineages. He was the epitome of the best of both worlds.

He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen! Josephine couldn’t help but take photos of him sneakily. She focused on the man’s face and pressed the shutter repeatedly.

Meanwhile, the man had already come out of the sea. He had well-built muscles, defined abs, and an attractive Adonis belt.

As the lens lowered, Josephine gulped. The man was only clad in swim trunks, and his package was bulging.

While walking on the beach, Ethan caught sight of camera flashes, which prompted him to look in that direction.

The moment the lens moved to the man’s face, Josephine shuddered in shock, for she realized that the handsome man was staring at her.

Damn it! I’m caught red-handed!

She didn’t want to be regarded as a pervert, so she turned around and ran away. However, since she was running on a narrow path, she accidentally lost her footing and fell onto the beach. “Ah!”

At that moment, she was unable to get up, and the dazzling sunlight made her close her eyes. Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. When she opened her eyes, she saw a man looking down at her while clad only in a towel. He squinted his eyes and stared at her.

“Hi!” Although Josephine was a mess, she forced a smile and greeted the man.

“Do you love taking photos of men so much?” Ethan was displeased with the woman for taking photos of him without his consent.

If the woman uploaded the photos to some porn sites, his reputation would be ruined. Moreover, it wasn’t the first time he caught some paparazzi doing that.

He was only clad in swim trunks that day, so the woman had violated his privacy by taking photos of him. Therefore, he had to capture the culprit.

Josephine sat up at once and explained, “Please don’t get me wrong, mister. I’m just taking photos of the view around here.”

Ethan picked up the camera from the floor and went through the photos.

What a liar! Six out of ten photos are me! Furthermore, she has taken photos of me from head to toe, including my package. What makes her think I’ll believe her?

When Josephine saw the man going through the photos, she flushed. I shouldn’t have come to this place!

“Are you a paparazzo? Which company do you work for?”

“I’m not a paparazzo; I’m a reporter,” Josephine refuted.

Ethan sneered. If she’s not a paparazzo, why did she take sneak photos of me? What a liar!

He then started deleting the photos. When he was done with that, he tossed the camera back to her. “Don’t let me catch you doing this again.”

To him, Josephine was just a peeping Tom.

“Hey… I really didn’t mean to take photos of you.” Josephine patted the sand away and got to her feet. The next moment, she squatted, realizing that she had twisted her ankle.

“Ouch!” she exclaimed and looked at the man in front of her.

Ethan took a sip of water and was ready to go back. He had a beach buggy with him.

“Hey, mister. Can you give me a lift? I sprained my ankle,” Josephine pleaded.

“No.” Ethan turned her down directly.

“I’m a guest at the wedding too. Will you please lend me a helping hand?” Josephine asked politely.

Ethan entered the beach buggy and shot her a look. “Don’t try to use this trick to approach me. I’m not interested in women like you.” He then stepped on the gas pedal and left.

Josephine was dumbfounded upon hearing that. Although he’s handsome, he’s too narcissistic. Do I look like I want to approach him?

difficulty. No longer in the mood to take photos,

with the woman for taking sneak photos of him, so he had

Her curvy figure caught a lot of attention. Middle-aged men especially loved staring at her. Selena knew that the men sitting

men were worth billions, respectively, which was why she had to

she approached a decent-looking middle-aged man and asked for a cold

guests were all restrained, for they didn’t

evening, Selena still hadn’t managed to get

days away. Furthermore, she could stay there

As their eyes met, Selena was surprised to learn that the woman who had argued with her mother stayed in the house

Heidi saw her daughter tottering into the house, she was shocked. She promptly passed her a hot towel and reminded her not to leave

to obey her mother and recuperate in the

her mother about Selena and Heidi staying in the villa beside theirs. A displeased Olivia said, “I don’t think they’re wealthy. Just look at their bags, which are worth less than 1,500 respectively. They’re probably some poor people who shamelessly came to the

for a moment, for she was also that kind of

They’re also guests, just like

while, but she has never come over and greeted us. Does she regard us

doesn’t have time to visit

that we’re no different from outsiders to

brightest spot, she realized that must be where Ellen stayed. She must be surrounded by many people who propose a toast to her and greet her. She’s Mrs. Presgrave now, after

it wasn’t like

she was pregnant. Apart from the closest relatives, Jared didn’t let anyone else meet Ellen so

point, all the important guests had arrived. The Mansons, the Weisses,

of women were seated in a cafe by the beach and had a talk. They were Anastasia, Sophia,

they were free to gather together from time to time. They were best friends who met up frequently, so their relationship

children worked in different parts of the world, they would come into contact often, which strengthened the ties between the

it the night’s coolness. Some waiters stood near these wealthy ladies, ready to serve them

and in their element. Apparently, they had loving husbands and brilliant children by their side. On top of that, they had successful careers and important

like them were the

descended, the entire island fell into silence. Some guests refused to go back to their rooms as they roamed around the beach and

have a drink with him. However, he decided not to bother his friend since the latter

the bar alone as he drank beer and pondered his

a potential husband. The wealthy men she came across

a bar in the middle of the night. He was seated under a chandelier as the

As she looked at the

feet. Selena was someone who would achieve her goal at all costs, so she certainly wouldn’t let

Ethan with a glass of wine in her hand, she strode toward

to reach Ethan, Selena intentionally bumped

I’m supposed to chat up a handsome guy. How did I end up splashing my wine onto a

to Ethan and questioned, “What’s wrong

sorry! It was an

her dress lower and revealed more of her chest. Even the bartender couldn’t help but glance at her. Meanwhile, Ethan looked in the same direction

“Forget it. I know you’re a guest as well. Since my cousin

Everyone in the bar had fallen silent because of the incident, and now they had learned that

he looked at Selena

identity had attracted the man, Selena pretended

that, she sat down beside Ethan and said to the

prepared a glass of cocktail for her. All the services on the island were free, so Selena seized the chance and ordered her

glass, she turned to look

his best

of an outstanding man like Jared is also brilliant. She initially thought that she would never get to marry a wealthy man like Ellen, but the man before her eyes was a chance to get the life she had always

moment, she was determined to win

her. She soon chugged down three glasses of cocktails. Although she could drink more than that, she pretended to be drunk. The average woman would’ve

that, Ethan asked

shook her head before smiling at Ethan with

leave. The moment she came down from the stool, she staggered and placed her hands on the bar. She shook her head and said, “I guess I’m

at Ethan. “Mister, would you mind sending me back to the villa? I can

was about to go back as well. Since the woman was Ellen’s cousin, and he was Jared’s best friend, it would

send you home.” He didn’t turn

support my weight?” Selena

Selena, Ethan held her

women around them were jealous and bitter. They could tell that Selena had played a trick to get the chance, but she was Ellen’s cousin, after all. It was only natural that she could get some special

guests back. Both of them entered the backseat. Selena felt her heart pounding in her chest. The faint smell of alcohol from the

excuse can I use to stay

no longer an innocent young woman. All she thought about was how to seduce the man. She certainly wouldn’t let the chance slip through

man’s shoulder. Ethan stiffened in an instant. He turned to

Selena opened her eyes. Unwilling to go back, she said to the driver, “Please

reached your villa yet,” reminded

I don’t want to go back. I’m in a

Since Ethan was Jared’s best friend, he wouldn’t let anything happen to Ellen’s relatives. He had to send her

Selena obstinately left the car. When Ethan

reach the villa, he decided to walk with

straight. Left with no choice, Ethan stepped forward and supported her

asked Selena, looking

“Ethan Quarles.”

nice name. You’re very handsome too,” Selena said in

villa, Josephine was trying to capture some photos of the night view. Just then, she caught sight of a couple walking

them, but when she realized

beach in the afternoon, and now he’s making out with a woman in the middle of the night. How inappropriate! Can’t they

the mood to take any photos. Just as she was ready to go downstairs, the woman moved

Josephine wouldn’t find him

Selena pretended that she couldn’t walk stably. Although Ethan felt helpless, he had to

miss. We’ll be there

stay over in your villa? I had an argument with my mom,” pleaded Selena as she

you.” Ethan fished out his

stay over in your villa for one

me a second.”

to give up. “It’s fine, Mr. Quarles.

Ethan nodded. “See you.”

watched him leave while feeling ecstatic. Ethan Quarles… I’ll get you no matter

While wearing a backpack, Willow stepped out of the vessel. The people

while on their way there, but he still hadn’t managed to find out her name. Since they were about to part ways, he bit the bullet and asked, “Can we be friends, miss? What’s

“Willow Presgrave.”

The young man was

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

relationship

my brother,” Willow

by her

been trying to woo a

“Hey…”

and said, “Please

that, Willow headed to the car park

woken up early to go out with her mother and have breakfast together.

bored Josephine sat down on a bench in the park and spaced out at the sea. Just then, she heard a man

man, she immediately leaped from the bench and ran away in

man quickly ran after

her for over a year. Although

like waiting for her outside her company with flowers, proposing to her in front of many people, surprising her with lots of balloons, and putting up a banner outside the building opposite her company. He had even stalked her

him, so she could only run away whenever she saw

it shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, the man was wealthy, and his family

“Stop running, Joey!”

her dearly, she started running as fast as her legs could carry her. However, the man was getting closer to her, so it

She looked around

lounge with a thud. She started seeing stars after her head bumped into the man’s

he supported her weight and

face, Josephine looked up and saw an attractive face. What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to crash

frowned when he realized who the woman was. I can’t believe the Peeping Tom is here! He immediately

anxiously

racked her brains while panting. As an idea sprang into her mind,

he saw a man in a suit entering the place

“Joey…”

sorry, Luke. Let me introduce my boyfriend to you,” said Josephine charmingly as she ran

to him. He didn’t expect

your boyfriend?” Luke asked

she flashed a sweet smile at the man

said in a masculine voice, “Dear, why don’t you tell him

Josephine’s face froze. Why is this man making things

find out the man’s name so that he could look into his background later. If the man

name?” Luke directly

forced a smile and questioned the man beside her, “Why don’t you tell him your name,

name. Hurry up. Tell him proudly what my name is.” Ethan gaped at

random name. She then said to Luke,

won’t expose

a staff member came

“You’re pretty good at acting, huh? Stop trying to

He’s got quite an imagination

name is Ethan Quarles. I don’t

he turned around and left. Luke was astonished, while

looked sympathetically