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 with difficulty. No longer in the mood to take

of him, so he had

lot of attention. Middle-aged men especially loved staring at her. Selena knew that the men sitting under the

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

she approached a decent-looking middle-aged man and asked for a cold drink. As she took a sip, she threw flirtatious glances

restrained, for they didn’t want to cause

managed to get

days away. Furthermore,

the villa, she saw Josephine getting out of the sightseeing car. As their eyes met,

She promptly passed her

obey her mother and recuperate in the

said, “I don’t think they’re wealthy. Just look at their bags, which are worth less than 1,500 respectively. They’re

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

shut, will you? They’re also guests, just like us. Please stop embarrassing

quite a while, but she has never come

she doesn’t have time to

refusing to admit that we’re no different from

to her parents’ conversation, so she went to the third floor and stood on the balcony. As she looked at the brightest spot, she realized that must be where Ellen stayed. She must

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

Apart from the closest relatives, Jared didn’t let anyone else meet Ellen so that she could get

guests had arrived. The Mansons, the Weisses, and the Lloyds were the Presgraves’

a cafe by the beach and had a

adults, and their careers were on the right track, so they were free to gather together

the world, they would come into contact often, which strengthened the ties between the

near these wealthy ladies, ready to serve them at any moment. The younger

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

them were

as

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

as

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

as Jared in a bar in the middle of the night. He was seated under a chandelier as the dim light engulfed him. His black shirt

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

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 certainly

woman was walking toward Ethan with a glass of wine in

Ethan, Selena intentionally bumped into her,

a handsome guy.

closer to Ethan and questioned, “What’s

sorry! It

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

I know you’re a guest as well. Since my

the woman heard that Selena was Ellen’s cousin, 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

as he looked at Selena and asked, “Are you Ellen’s

man, Selena pretended to be innocent and

Ethan and said to the

cocktail for her. All the services on the island were free,

look at Ethan. “You must

best friend,”

friend 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

determined to win the man’s

gulped down the cocktail 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

Ethan asked

to be tough and shook her head before smiling at Ethan

The moment she came down from the stool, she staggered and placed her hands on the

sending me back to the villa? I

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

send you home.” He didn’t

help support my weight?” Selena

closer to Selena, Ethan held her shoulders and left the place with

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

at the ready to send the guests back. Both of them entered the backseat. Selena felt her heart pounding in her chest. The faint smell of alcohol from the man’s figure

can I use to stay over in

All she thought about was how to seduce the man. She certainly wouldn’t let the

He turned to look at the woman and hoped that they would reach her villa sooner so that he could

the villa, Selena opened her eyes. Unwilling to go back, she said to

reached your villa yet,” reminded

don’t want to go back. I’m in a

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

Then, Selena obstinately left the car. When Ethan got out of the

reach the villa, he decided to walk

no choice, Ethan stepped forward

asked

“Ethan Quarles.”

very handsome too,” Selena said in an over-the-top tone.

view. Just then, she caught sight of a couple walking under the

and zoomed in on them, but

That guy dumped me on the beach in the afternoon, and now he’s making

to take any photos. Just as she was ready to go downstairs, the woman moved close enough for her to see clearly. That’s the woman who stays beside our

was, Josephine wouldn’t find him attractive if he

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

on, miss. We’ll be

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

villa for you.” Ethan fished out his phone and was

your villa for one night. Please.” Selena pouted, pretending to

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

to give up. “It’s fine, Mr.

Ethan nodded. “See you.”

feeling ecstatic. Ethan Quarles… I’ll get you no

out of the vessel. The people

he still hadn’t managed to find out

“Willow Presgrave.”

a Presgrave?” The young

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

relationship

brother,” Willow

been by her side, said, “Miss,

he realized he had been trying to woo a young lady from the

“Hey…”

his hand and said, “Please stop right

car park with the protection

woken up early to go out with her mother and have breakfast together. However, when Heidi came across some old friends,

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

leaped from the bench and ran away in a particular direction,

The man

dates with. He had been trying to woo her for over a year. Although Josephine didn’t love him, he was still zestful. However, some of his actions could be

many people, surprising her with lots of balloons, and putting up a banner outside the building opposite

was fond of him, so she could only run away whenever she

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

“Stop running, Joey!”

fast as her legs could carry her. However, the man was getting closer to her, so

her way. She looked around and saw that she was on a golf course, so she

she crashed into a man who was coming out of the lounge with a thud. She started seeing stars after her head bumped into the man’s

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

attractive face.

Ethan frowned when he realized who the woman was. I can’t believe the Peeping Tom

anxiously as he

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

the place

“Joey…”

my boyfriend to you,” said Josephine charmingly as she ran her fingers

he couldn’t compare to him. He didn’t expect Josephine to have a boyfriend. What was

he your boyfriend?” Luke asked in

smile at the man beside

in a masculine voice, “Dear, why don’t you tell him what my name

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

man’s name so that he could look into his background

his name?” Luke directly

and questioned the man beside her, “Why don’t you

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

while trying to come up with a random name. She

won’t

a staff member came over and

directly pushed the woman away and sneered. “You’re pretty good at acting, huh? Stop trying to use all

dumbfounded. He’s got

to Luke, “My name is Ethan Quarles. I don’t

around and left. Luke was astonished, while Josephine was

embarrassment. Luke looked sympathetically at her and placated her by saying,