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?

up her camera and stood up with difficulty. No longer in the mood to take photos, she dialed the number the driver had

Ethan had returned to his villa. He was still displeased with the woman for taking sneak photos of him, so he had no qualms about leaving her on the beach, even though

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

were worth billions, respectively, which was why she had to show them she had an

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

restrained, for they didn’t

managed to

was still three days away. Furthermore, she could stay there for

she saw Josephine getting out of the sightseeing car. As their eyes met, Selena was surprised to learn that the woman who had

house, she was shocked. She promptly passed her a hot towel and

obey her mother and recuperate in

they’re wealthy. Just look at their bags, which are worth less than 1,500 respectively.

startled for a moment, for she was also that kind of person. She quickly said, “We’re different, though. We’re

They’re also guests, just like us. Please stop embarrassing

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

busy, which is why she doesn’t have time

admit that we’re no different from

As she looked at the brightest spot, she realized that must be where Ellen stayed. She must be surrounded by many people who propose a toast to her

was bitter and jealous, but it wasn’t like there was anything she could

from the closest relatives, Jared didn’t

The Mansons, the Weisses, and the Lloyds were the Presgraves’ closest

the evening, a group of women were seated in a cafe by the beach and had a

all adults, and their careers were on the right track, so they were free to gather together from time to time. They were

world, they would come into

night’s coolness. Some waiters stood near these wealthy ladies, ready to serve them at any moment.

Apparently, they had loving husbands and brilliant children

them were the winners

back to their rooms as they roamed around the beach and took in the night view. Some of them were

to ask Jared to come out and have a drink with him. However, he decided not to bother his friend since

was seated in the bar alone as he drank

look for a potential husband. The wealthy men she came across on the beach in the morning made her think that all

night. He was seated under a chandelier as the dim light engulfed him. His black shirt added a layer of

besotted with the man. As she looked at the man’s

women around the man were also drooling over him, and one of them got to her feet. Selena was someone who would achieve her goal at all costs, so she

was walking toward Ethan with a glass of wine in her hand,

reach Ethan, Selena intentionally bumped into her, causing the wine to splash onto her

the woman. I’m supposed to chat up a handsome guy. How did

Selena stood closer to Ethan and questioned, “What’s wrong

sorry! It was an

bartender couldn’t help but glance at her. Meanwhile, Ethan looked in the same direction to find out what

at her, she blurted, “Forget it. I know you’re a guest as

in the bar had fallen silent because of the incident,

surprised as he looked at Selena

man, Selena pretended to be innocent and replied,

sat down beside Ethan and said to the bartender, “Give me a glass of cocktail,

the services on the

turned to look at Ethan. “You must

I’m his best friend,”

never get to marry a wealthy man like Ellen, but the man before her eyes was a chance to get the life she had

was determined to win the

and told the bartender to prepare another glass for 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 been inebriated after drinking so many glasses of cocktails. All of a sudden, tears

Ethan asked

and shook her head before smiling at Ethan with teary eyes. “I’m

placed her hands on the bar. She shook her head and

she looked pleadingly at Ethan. “Mister, would you mind sending me

and he was Jared’s best friend, it would be inappropriate

you home.”

you help support my weight?” Selena asked in a

to Selena, Ethan held

could tell that Selena had played a trick to get the chance, but she was Ellen’s cousin, after all. It was only

far away, cars were always at the ready to send the guests back. Both of them entered the backseat. Selena felt her heart pounding

to stay over in his

was how to seduce the man. She certainly wouldn’t let the chance slip through her

to fall asleep and rested her head on the man’s shoulder. Ethan stiffened in an instant. He turned to look at the woman

eyes. Unwilling to go back, she said to the driver, “Please stop

your villa

don’t want to go back. I’m in

to prevent any accidents from happening.” Since Ethan was Jared’s best friend, he wouldn’t let anything happen to Ellen’s relatives. He had

mister. Why don’t you go back first?” Then, Selena obstinately left the car. When Ethan got out of the vehicle, he saw Selena

were about to reach the villa,

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

your name?” asked

“Ethan Quarles.”

Selena said in an over-the-top tone. She believed that all

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

but when she realized who the man was,

walking with a drunk woman? That guy dumped me on the beach in the afternoon, and now he’s making out with a woman in the middle

was no longer in the mood to take any photos. Just as she was ready to go downstairs, the woman moved

of how handsome a man was, Josephine wouldn’t find him attractive

that she couldn’t walk stably. Although Ethan felt

miss. We’ll be

I had an argument with my

you.” Ethan fished out his phone and

one night.

other vacant villas. Just give me a second.” Ethan insisted

to give up. “It’s fine, Mr. Quarles. I guess I’ll just go back

Ethan nodded. “See you.”

him leave while feeling ecstatic. Ethan Quarles… I’ll get you no matter what! The trip is worth it, for I’ve found such a

pulled up at the dock. While wearing a backpack, Willow stepped out of the vessel. The

been trying to talk to her while on their way there, but he still hadn’t managed to find out her name. Since they were about to

“Willow Presgrave.”

The young

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

relationship

my brother,” Willow

who had been by her side, said, “Miss, the car is

dumbfounded, for he realized he had been trying to woo a young lady from the Presgrave

“Hey…”

bodyguard lifted his hand and said, “Please stop right

that, Willow headed to the car park

breakfast together. However, when

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

turned her head and saw the man, she immediately leaped from the bench and ran away in a particular direction, as though a

The man quickly

had been trying to woo her for over a year. Although Josephine didn’t love him, he was still zestful. However,

her company with flowers, proposing to her in front of many people, surprising her with lots of balloons, and putting up a

Josephine’s grandfather was fond of him, so she could only run away

didn’t expect to see him there, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, the man was wealthy, and his family was

“Stop running, Joey!”

dearly, she started running as fast as her legs could carry her. However,

way. She looked around and

who was coming out of the lounge with a thud. She started seeing

her weight and asked caringly, “Are

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

realized who the woman was. I can’t believe

anxiously as he panted. “Where are

to run, so she racked her brains while panting. As an idea sprang into

a suit entering the place and looking at him and the woman

“Joey…”

boyfriend to you,” said Josephine charmingly as

compare to him. He didn’t expect Josephine to have a boyfriend. What was more, the man was

your boyfriend?” Luke

nodded firmly. “Yes, he is.” Then, she flashed a sweet smile at the man beside her, hoping that

his lips, Ethan looked teasingly at her and said in a masculine voice, “Dear, why don’t you

this man making things difficult for me? How am I supposed to know his

the other hand, Luke was waiting for the woman to introduce her boyfriend. He had to find out the man’s name so that he could look into his background later. If the man was handsome but poor, that

name?”

smile and questioned the man beside her, “Why

you’re supposed to know my name. Hurry up. Tell him proudly what my name is.”

random

won’t expose my

fingers, after which a staff member came over

pushed the woman away and sneered. “You’re pretty good at acting, huh? Stop trying to use all sorts of tricks and approach me, will

He’s got quite

Quarles. I don’t know this woman, nor am

he turned around and left.

looked sympathetically at her