Never Too Far Novel

“We’ve discussed it earlier. You just have to propose a toast to those at the first three tables, then you can head to the private room and get some rest. I’ll handle the rest,” Jared said. They had to avoid any activity that might exhaust Ellen.

“Okay.” Ellen felt warm in her heart. While staying on the island, she had gotten closer to the Presgraves and felt that they were truly caring and compassionate.

The guests were dressed to the nines and ready to attend the wedding. Connor and his family were wearing the clothes that Olivia had borrowed, making them look less ordinary.

“Mom, this dress is too small. It doesn’t fit,” Selena complained.

“Stop complaining when you have a nice dress to wear! Just don’t eat too much later,” Olivia retorted. Suddenly thinking of something, she turned to look at her husband anxiously. “Connor, did Ellen call you and ask you to walk her down the aisle?”

“No.”

“Every bride needs an elder to walk her down the aisle. You’re her closest relative, so why didn’t she call you?” Olivia asked in shock.

Connor was embarrassed as well. “Perhaps a luxurious wedding like this is different. Moreover, I’m too bashful to do that.”

“I suppose Ellen no longer regards us as relatives, huh? How is she going to walk down the aisle and go on stage without you? Is she going to do that on her own? That will be laughable!” Nothing good ever came out of Olivia’s mouth.

Connor shot her a stern look. “It’s Ellie’s big day, so don’t say any nonsense as there will be many guests at the wedding. You mustn’t embarrass her.”

“Do you think she’s still your dearest Ellie? She probably won’t spare us a glance again after the wedding.” Olivia sneered.

Selena was fed up with their argument, so she went to the yard and happened to see Josephine and her mother leaving the villa, ready to head to the wedding.

Presently, Josephine was clad in a light blue dress with her hair hung loose on her shoulders. She looked charming and refreshing. A hint of resentment flashed across Selena’s eyes. She had always been a crafty person, but the woman managed to snatch Ethan from her the night before. It was only natural that she was vexed.

Just you wait, Josephine. I’ll let you know the consequences of offending me!

Meanwhile, Josephine and her mother entered the car and headed to the wedding. As the breeze whisked through her, she looked out the window and spaced out. When they passed by the walkway where Ethan carried her in his arms the night before, she suddenly wondered why the man was willing to lend her a helping hand.

Has he fallen in love with me? Well, a handsome man like him isn’t husband material, and it’s not like he can look young forever. Moreover, many women will try to snatch him from me, and he might even cheat on me.

After the analysis, Josephine felt that she’d better remain single. After all, there were many single people at her station, and they were all capable people who lived their lives to the fullest.

Soon, Connor’s car was ready, and they went to the wedding together.

There was a long stretch of roses that extended from the area where the guests got out of their cars to the banquet hall roughly 600 feet away. The roses were beautiful and fragrant. As the guests walked along the path, they felt rejuvenated.

Olivia was dumbfounded. “How much does it all cost? A bouquet of roses is already worth a ton at the florist!”

Selena was walking in front when she heard her mother’s words, so she couldn’t help but turn her head and retort, “Mom, stop behaving like a poor person. Do you want everyone to find out we’re not rich?”

Olivia naturally wouldn’t admit that she wasn’t from a well-to-do family. Upon hearing her daughter’s words, she felt aggrieved, for she indeed behaved like one.

The banquet hall could accommodate 500 people, and it was full of guests now. Gold and red were the main colors, making the wedding look solemn and magnificent.

A wedding like this was every woman’s dream. Olivia was awestruck, whereas Selena was green with envy. Jared was willing to spend so much money to hold a grand wedding for Ellen. If any woman could marry a man like him, she would die with no regrets.

Meanwhile, Heidi was shocked as well. After all, she wasn’t born into a wealthy family, and she would be delighted if her daughter also had a grand wedding one day.

“Look at how magnificent the wedding is, Joey! Aren’t you envious?” Heidi started urging her daughter to look for a husband again.

Josephine let out a sigh. “Mom, I probably won’t ever get married. You’d better give up on that idea sooner.”

“Stop saying nonsense. You’ll get married one day.” Heidi was confident about her daughter’s appearance. On the other hand, Josephine didn’t even dare imagine that she would marry the man she loved at such a wonderful wedding one day.

“Mom, I don’t even have a boyfriend. Don’t you think it’s too early for you to urge me to get married?” Josephine said helplessly.

“Well, a person can dream. I’m sure that my dream of seeing you getting married will come true someday,” Heidi said optimistically.

Meanwhile, Selena and Olivia were looking for their seats. Coincidentally, they had to share the same table with Heidi and Josephine.

“How unlucky!” When Olivia saw Heidi, she couldn’t help but annoy her.

Heidi also felt displeased that Olivia was seated with them.

A hint of resentment flashed across Selena’s eyes as she looked at Josephine. She sat down and ignored the woman. Josephine initially wanted to greet her, but since the woman refused to talk to her by looking at her phone, she gave up on the idea.

Meanwhile, she was wondering why Selena was seated with them. Since the woman claimed to be the bride’s relative, she was supposed to sit somewhere closer to the bride.

Just then, Luke came over and greeted Josephine. He somehow managed to persuade the guest beside Josephine to exchange seats with him. Just like that, he sat down beside the woman.

In the lounge behind the wedding venue, Ellen was getting some rest on the couch. She was already clad in her wedding dress and a veil. As the sunlight shone on her, she looked as beautiful as a doll.

An excited Willow took photos of Ellen from different angles with the camera in her hands. She also took some selfies and photos of the two of them together.

“You’re gorgeous, Ellen!” Willow said in amazement.

There was no doubt Ellen was a natural beauty. Although her face was small, it was delicate and glowing. Anyone would be drawn to her charm.

“Jared will be enchanted when he sees you,” Willow said exaggeratingly.

Upon hearing that, Ellen broke into laughter. “No doubt about it.”

Soon, the groom and the best man arrived. Jared was dressed to the nines, looking incredibly dapper. On the other hand, the best man was clad in a white suit, which made him look equally handsome.

Rarely any man could pull off a white suit. Although Ethan was wearing such a suit, he didn’t snatch the spotlight from the groom. He willingly played second fiddle in such a situation.

“Ethan, I’m sure many beautiful ladies will be smitten with you today. You have to be careful not to be surrounded by them,” Willow said while approaching him. She was a lovable woman who loved complimenting others.

All of a sudden, a woman’s face sprang into Ethan’s mind. It didn’t matter to him whether other women liked him; he just hoped that a certain someone would treat him better.

Jared walked up to Ellen and stared fixedly at her, looking as though he could never get enough of her. A blushing Ellen looked bashfully at him. “Stop looking. I’m already nervous, and you’re making me feel even tenser.”

The man squatted and held her hands before placating her gently, saying, “Stop worrying. I’m with you!”

Ellen seemed to derive confidence from the man’s gaze, so she nodded and replied, “Okay.”

With the camera in her hands, Willow said, “Come on, guys. Look in my direction and smile!”

Now, Willow was responsible for taking photos of everything and recording this wonderful day.

Anastasia and Elliot came over to take a look at them. The young couple was ready, and the wedding was about to begin.

“Jared, you have to hold Ellie’s hand tight later,” Anastasia reminded.

“I know, Mom. Don’t worry about it.” Jared dipped his head.

That was because the wedding was special.

The host came over and said, “The wedding will start in ten minutes. Get ready to enter the venue.”

Willow walked up to Ellen with a bouquet. “Take the flowers, Ellen. We’re going now.”

Since the wedding was about to begin, all the guests were looking forward to seeing the bride, for she was still a mystery. Many guests had been staying on the island for several days, but they hadn’t seen the bride yet.

They wondered what the woman looked like and what family she came from. No doubt she was lucky to marry Jared.

Even Josephine was curious about the bride’s appearance. Various media companies were aware of the wedding, and they had been trying hard to get into the venue to take some photos. If they managed to take some wedding photos, that would be big news across the country.

However, the Presgraves barred any media companies from entry, and even the guests were not allowed to take photos.

Therefore, as a reporter, Josephine felt lucky that she was there to witness the grand wedding.

“It’s going to start soon, Mom!” Josephine said to her mother excitedly.

“Yeah, I can’t wait!” Heidi was thrilled as well.

Josephine took a look at the family beside her. Although Connor was excited, Selena and her mother were expressionless.

The wedding finally started as the melodious music reverberated across the hall. All of them turned to look at the door that opened gradually.

Several page boys and flower girls who were as beautiful as angels stepped into the venue, followed by the bride and the groom. Unlike other weddings, the bride appeared while hooking her arm around the groom’s while holding flowers with her other hand. The long veil extended to the hem of the cloud-like dress. As the guests looked at the bride, they couldn’t help but feel that she was stunning and pure.

While everyone was watching their entry, there were two attractive figures behind the bride and the groom. They were none other than the young lady from the Presgraves Family and a handsome best man.

Everyone was genuinely happy for the married couple, but two people were extremely jealous. Although Olivia and Selena had shamelessly attended the wedding without an invitation, they didn’t want to give Ellen their blessings. Olivia even viciously thought that the Presgraves would probably start despising the woman someday. She wanted Ellen to be poor again, just like her.

Selena had been in love with Jared before, but the brilliant man was now walking down the aisle with Ellen. Certainly, she wasn’t happy about it.

caught sight of the best

him to be the best man. Admittedly, without considering

Selena stared fixedly at him while other

had a chance with the groom, but the handsome best

man! In that case, he must be wealthy! Wait

to walk down the aisle full of roses with the man she loved beside

and Ellen slowly went on stage. Everyone watched as they completed the ceremony by exchanging rings and confessing their love for each other. They kissed and accepted the

welled up with tears as she gently held her chest. Willow promptly told someone to pass her a piece of tissue. Ellen took it and

sat among the guests, Selena realized how much of a fool she was when she tried seducing Jared in the

was also very mysterious, for the media hadn’t

certain best man on the stage. Even though there was quite a

eyes on Josephine, so he immediately reached out vexedly and put his arm on the back of Josephine’s chair, deliberately

tossing the bouquet soon, so the ladies who wanted to catch some good luck

nudged her daughter, insisting that she go and catch the bouquet for good

them, was being urged by Olivia

ignorance and staying silent, she got physical as she pushed Josephine into a standing position. Josephine turned around and asked exasperatedly,

in front of the stage. At that moment, Ellen waved toward the girls in

the stage, then naturally caught sight of the girl who reluctantly walked toward the edge. His gaze locked

from her expression that she didn’t

more force, the bouquet in her hands soared lightly and easily, then traced an arc in the

pushing her. Selena was one of them. She didn’t care about her identity anymore; she wanted to catch the bouquet and obtain the blessing from the

She almost instinctively reached out, and Ellen’s bouquet landed right

but as if fate had decreed

help but curve his lips into a

filled with jealousy and hatred. She had worked so hard, but she couldn’t

didn’t know either. She looked up and met Ellen’s gaze on the stage. When Ellen smiled gently at her, her heart warmed

profound and captivating gaze. She looked and saw that Ethan was staring at her with

seat at once. When Heidi saw that her daughter had actually caught the

as he praised Josephine,

because of anything else; she just thought it was too beautiful, so she should care for it as much as

a different set of

it turned out to be a sumptuous feast. It had been a long time since Olivia and Selena last had food as expensive as this. Even though they tried their best

Olivia helped herself to some food first, but fearing that her daughter wouldn’t get to taste it, she placed some on Selena’s plate as well. Every time a

Meanwhile, Josephine wasn’t interested in the food. Instead, she felt that the wine served here was delicious

I don’t think we’ve prepared any gifts. What should we do?” It was only then that Olivia remembered they should

just here for

could grab the chance to be on good terms with Ellen when the latter

Jared during the front-row toasts. Just as Olivia was wondering when Ellen would come over, she noticed

the toast,” Selena commented

on us,” Olivia

stopping by every table for the toasts. He treated every guest with proper respect, and the guests also got up and clinked glasses

her head lowered as she looked at work-related matters on her phone. Suddenly, she felt some pressure on the back of her chair as though someone was pushing it. At the same time, Heidi gave Josephine’s dress a sharp

glass as she stood up. Just then, she realized Ethan was

please enjoy yourselves. I sincerely apologize if we overlooked anything.” Jared singled Connor out by mentioning the latter, so Olivia could only plaster a smile on her face as she said, “You’re so handsome today, Jared! I hope you’ll have a happy marriage and

that someone had taken the initiative to touch their glass against hers, and when she turned to look, Ethan

Mr. Presgrave.” Heidi gave her best

let out a sigh of relief. The morning banquet ended at around 2.00PM, and she heard there would be another banquet at night accompanied by a dance hall, a show of fireworks, and a

changed into a comfortable set of pajamas. With Jared by her side, she took an afternoon nap. She was easily fatigued these

friends. He

your guests. Do you know her background?”

heard that, he glanced at Ethan with a teasing

her several times, she seems to be an interesting person.” Ethan would never admit that he

Jared narrowed his eyes as he fell into deep thought. He had an impression that the Jacobsons

“Which one?”

remember correctly, Peter Jacobson is one of the higher-ups in politics, and his words are very influential. Our families are probably connected because of him and my grandfather, but I don’t know

said, “Does your wife have a cousin called

nodded, then cautioned Ethan, “Steer clear of

help but ask worriedly, “What happened? Did she do something to you

After she was released, she still went around and caused trouble. She

of Selena, so when he heard that, he decided right

as much fun as you’d like tonight. You can even ask Miss Jacobson out,” Jared said to his good friend,

curved his lips and crossed his arms as he said, “I never make the first move. Even if I were to go on a date, they would

give you a piece of advice as someone with experience. If you insist on maintaining your pride, you won’t get the girl.” Jared glanced at the time, then

Jared left, Ethan took his phone and went downstairs. He

he ate his words quickly enough. He said he wouldn’t make the

took the bouquet home, she even sprayed some water on the flowers

had a habit of taking afternoon naps, so she retired to her

sat on the couch, thinking of watching some TV when she heard a car honking

seemed to be

garden. Then, she saw Ethan getting

here?” Josephine asked

today. Fancy going out for a ride?” said the

felt tempted to accept his invitation, for she was

out?” Josephine questioned

nodded. “Yes. Care to

said to Ethan, “Wait for me. I’ll get my camera

next to them, a pair of eyes hiding behind curtains watched the scene unfold. Selena had also heard Ethan honking earlier, and when she saw Ethan coming over and asking Josephine out on his own accord, her heart was filled

before the two disappeared off the roads of the villa garden,

make your life a living hell,” she

The wedding wasn’t supposed to be made known to the public, but Josephine was a reporter. If news of the wedding were exposed, Josephine would be the first to

night, Josephine mentioned the TV station she worked for, and Selena had committed it to memory. Now, she would send an anonymous

out her laptop and went right to work. She would exact revenge on

course, the sports car wasn’t the only thing catching everyone’s

you take me to where we first met?” Josephine asked

drove onto a wide road by the sea, then took her

well, and he even went into the sea

Quarles, I have to clarify again that I didn’t mean to take photos of you that day.” Josephine felt like

Ethan also felt a little sorry for leaving

did you take photos of me?” Ethan

“I accidentally came across you and mistook you for a model. You’re quite photogenic,

build, and have an outstanding aura?” asked the

him generously, “You’re

you like me?” Ethan was a little giddy now. This feeling was

personality triumphs over appearance. In other words, I

man was speechless. “Does that mean

you that well, so I

to know me,” Ethan said, raising

extraordinary background, and he belonged to a world completely different from

we will meet again,” Ethan suddenly turned around

was stunned for a few seconds, and she suddenly felt her face turn hot. What did he mean? Was

drove onto a deserted road, and the scenery was beautiful all along the way. The car pulled up at the pavement next to the beach, which

Ethan stood next to her and watched her. Compared to the pretty scenery around them, he was even more attracted to the woman’s

pair of eyes staring at her from the side. She put down her camera and turned to look at Ethan. The man crossed his arms and met her gaze boldly. He wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed that he was

straightforward person, so she asked directly, “Mr. Quarles, why do you

you’re kind of pretty,” Ethan answered,

bothered by the fact that a man was next to her. As she walked forward with her camera, she didn’t realize the deep hole in front of her. When the man noticed this, he hastily stretched out his long arms to hold her back, pulling her into his embrace as

she came to her senses, she was already being held securely in the man’s arms. Her face was

did you pull me back?”

for yourself,” the

noticed a deep hole hiding among the lush grass. If she had stepped on it, she

you.” Josephine smiled gratefully, then continued walking

Josephine suddenly had an idea, and she turned around to point her camera at the man. She wanted to

seemed a little exasperated through the lenses, but he still put on a few expressions and even posed a little. As Josephine looked

a few seconds by the man’s brilliant smile

shiny rows of teeth that gleamed attractively. His deep

taking photos of the scenery. Soon, the man ran after her and suggested, “Why don’t I take a

a moment. The scenery was too beautiful not to take some photos of herself in it, so she passed him her camera. After Ethan took the camera, Josephine

Act more naturally.” The man was complaining that she

even struck some poses to get rid of the awkwardness. Unbeknownst to her, as she adjusted herself and struck

and prettier in the photos now. The man curved his lips as he took

distance, then asked immediately, “Can you take a photo so that I look like

course,” answered

like she was holding up the island. After the photo was taken, Josephine walked toward the man, but she realized he was still clicking the

photos?!” she asked in

began looking through the photos. When she saw the numerous photos of herself, she was instantly pissed. This

and tried

Josephine naturally ran after him, and they continued the chase for a dozen yards. Suddenly, the man turned around and stopped running. Josephine reached out to hit him, but she couldn’t control her momentum, so before she could hit him, she

laughed as he enjoyed the feeling of a pretty woman running into his arms. He was also holding Josephine’s hands, so in

red as she looked up,

way.” The

she could only resort to

small step backward and looked at him, complaining, “Do you like

teased like that,” the man said with

man had quite a lot of ways to showcase his allure. He looked like he was in his late 20s, so