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?

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

was still displeased with the woman for taking sneak photos of him,

fun. Her curvy figure caught a lot of attention. Middle-aged men especially loved staring at her. Selena knew that the men sitting under the umbrellas, regardless of their appearances,

which was why she had to show them

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

they didn’t want to cause any trouble before

Selena still hadn’t managed to get

the first day, and the wedding was still three days away. Furthermore,

moment she returned to the villa, she saw Josephine getting out of the sightseeing car. As their eyes met, Selena was surprised to learn that the

promptly passed her a hot towel and reminded her not to leave

mother and recuperate

mother about Selena and Heidi staying in the villa beside theirs. A displeased Olivia said, “I don’t think they’re wealthy. Just look

was also that kind of person. She quickly said, “We’re different, though. We’re Ellen’s relatives,

you? They’re also

even bring her up? We’ve been here for quite a while, but she has never come

which is why she doesn’t have time to

admit that we’re no different from

and stood on the balcony. 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 and greet her.

but it wasn’t like there was anything she could

she was pregnant. Apart from the closest relatives, Jared didn’t

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

a cafe by the beach and had a

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

would come into contact often, which

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

Apparently, they had loving husbands and brilliant children

were the winners in

back to their rooms as they roamed around the beach and took in the night

of those people who just couldn’t sleep. He initially wanted to ask Jared to come out and have a drink with him. However, he decided not to bother

seated in the bar alone as he drank beer and pondered his

into the bar. She was there to look for a potential husband. The wealthy men she came across on the beach in the morning

saw a man who was just as handsome as Jared in a bar in the middle of the night. He was seated under a

besotted with the man. As she looked at the man’s wristwatch, she realized he wasn’t just rich; he

to her feet. Selena was someone who

that the woman was walking toward Ethan with a glass of wine in

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

guy. How did

closer to Ethan and questioned, “What’s

It

help but glance at

caught sight of the man staring at her, she blurted, “Forget it. I know you’re a guest as well. Since my cousin is getting

she apologized to her again. “I’m truly sorry!” Everyone in the bar had fallen silent because of the incident, and now they had learned that

surprised as he looked at Selena and asked, “Are you

identity had attracted the man, Selena pretended to be innocent and replied,

that, she sat down beside Ethan and said to the bartender, “Give me a

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

turned to look at Ethan. “You must be Jared’s

his best friend,” Ethan

would never get to marry a wealthy man like Ellen, but the man

determined to win the

could drink more than that,

that, Ethan asked

head before smiling at Ethan with teary

came down from the stool, she staggered and placed her hands on the bar. She shook her

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

as well. Since the woman was Ellen’s cousin, and he was

home.” He didn’t

weight?” Selena asked in a small

towering figure leaned closer to Selena, Ethan

around them were jealous and bitter. They could tell that Selena had played a trick to get the chance, but she

them entered the backseat. Selena felt her heart pounding

can I use to stay

was how to

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

opened her eyes. Unwilling to go

your

go back. I’m

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

back first?” Then, Selena obstinately left the car. When Ethan got out of the vehicle, he saw Selena

reach the villa, he decided

no choice, Ethan

your name?” asked

“Ethan Quarles.”

a nice name. You’re very handsome too,” Selena said in an over-the-top tone. She believed that all men

Just then, she caught sight of

but when she realized who the

and now he’s making out with a woman

Just as she was ready to go downstairs, the woman moved close enough for her to see clearly. That’s the woman who

handsome a man was, Josephine wouldn’t find

lamplights, Selena pretended that she couldn’t walk stably. Although Ethan felt helpless,

miss. We’ll be

your villa? I had an argument with my mom,” pleaded Selena

get another villa for you.” Ethan fished out his phone and was ready to contact

over in your villa for one night. Please.” Selena pouted,

Just give me a second.” Ethan insisted on getting

fine,

Ethan nodded. “See you.”

Ethan Quarles… I’ll get you no matter what! The trip is worth it, for I’ve found such a handsome

Willow stepped out of the vessel. The people in that area couldn’t help but be attracted to her youthfulness and beauty. She’s such a

had been trying to talk to her while on their way there, but he still hadn’t managed to find out

“Willow Presgrave.”

The young man

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

relationship with

brother,”

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

realized he had been trying to woo a young

“Hey…”

bodyguard lifted his hand and said, “Please stop right

headed to the car park with the

to go out with her mother and have breakfast together. However, when Heidi came across

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 a particular direction,

running!” The man quickly ran after

been trying to woo her for over a year. Although Josephine didn’t

things like waiting for her outside her company with flowers, proposing to her in front of many people, surprising her with

she could only

as a surprise. After all, the man was wealthy, and his family

“Stop running, Joey!”

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

had lost her way. She looked around and saw that she was on

into a man who was coming out of the lounge with a thud. She started seeing stars after her

gentleman, he supported her weight and asked caringly, “Are

up and saw an attractive face. What

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

called out a man anxiously

had any strength to run, so she racked her brains while panting. As an idea sprang into her mind, she hooked her arm around

he saw a man in a suit entering the

“Joey…”

to you,” said

expect Josephine to have a boyfriend. What was

your boyfriend?” Luke

“Yes, he is.” Then, she flashed a sweet smile at the

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

this man making things difficult

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

name?” Luke

man beside her, “Why don’t you tell him your

you’re my girlfriend, you’re supposed to know my name. Hurry up.

a random name. She then

hope he won’t expose my

which a staff member

good at acting, huh? Stop trying to use all sorts of tricks and approach me, will

dumbfounded. He’s got

to Luke, “My name is Ethan Quarles. I don’t know this woman, nor am I interested in

turned around and left. Luke was astonished,

her lip while flushing in embarrassment. Luke looked sympathetically