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.

of the best man,

Ethan’s presence as well, and she didn’t expect him to be the best man.

stared fixedly at him while other young women whispered among

had a chance with the groom, but the handsome best

man! In that case, he must be wealthy! Wait a minute; from what I’ve heard, he’s just a

walk down the aisle full of roses with the man she loved beside her. Not only that, she had the

music sounded in the background, Jared and Ellen slowly went on stage. Everyone watched as they completed the

every word he uttered was full of his love for Ellen, making all the women envious of her. Meanwhile, Ellen’s eyes were already welled up with tears as she gently held her chest. Willow promptly told someone to pass her a piece of tissue. Ellen

hearing Jared’s confession, as she sat among the guests, Selena realized how much of a fool she was when she tried seducing Jared

stage, astonished at how beautiful she was. The bride was also

gaze of a certain best man on the stage. Even though there was quite a distance between them, she could sense that

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

tossing the bouquet soon, so the

Joey.” Heidi nudged her daughter, insisting that she go and catch

was being urged by Olivia as well. “Hurry up, Lena! What are

her daughter feigning ignorance and staying silent, she got physical as she pushed Josephine into a standing position. Josephine turned around and asked exasperatedly, “Mom, do I have to

line up at the empty space in front of the stage. At that moment, Ellen waved toward

caught sight of the girl who reluctantly walked toward the edge. His gaze locked onto her face. Everyone else tiptoed, fearing that

clear from her expression that she didn’t want to

force, the bouquet in her hands soared

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

felt something hit her head. She almost instinctively reached out, and Ellen’s bouquet landed right in

while tiptoeing, but as if fate had decreed it, the bouquet fell squarely into Josephine’s

he couldn’t help but curve his lips into a

jealousy and hatred. She had worked so

She looked up and met Ellen’s gaze on the stage. When Ellen smiled gently at her, her heart warmed up instantly as she held the bouquet and said to Ellen, “Thank

looked and saw that

at once. When Heidi saw that her daughter had actually caught the bouquet, she knew that it was a good sign, signifying that her

as he praised

in her arms like some treasure. It wasn’t because of anything else; she just thought it

Willow went backstage, then changed into a different set of dresses for the remainder

had been a long time since Olivia and Selena last had food as expensive as this. Even

daughter wouldn’t get to taste it, she placed some on Selena’s plate as

as well. Meanwhile, Josephine wasn’t interested in the food. Instead, she

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

heard it’s not necessary. We’re just

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

Just as Olivia was wondering when

Ellen isn’t coming here for the toast,” Selena commented in a

on us,” Olivia said, secretly

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

her chair as though someone was pushing it. At the same time, Heidi gave Josephine’s dress a sharp tug under the table, signaling for Josephine to get up

hastily pushed her chair back and took her glass as she stood up. Just then, she realized Ethan was standing right behind her. She couldn’t help the sudden

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

taken the initiative to touch their glass against hers, and when she turned to

Presgrave.” Heidi gave her best wishes as

out a sigh of relief. The morning banquet ended at around 2.00PM, and she heard there would be another

wedding room, Ellen removed her makeup and changed into a comfortable set of pajamas. With Jared by her side, she took an afternoon nap. She was easily fatigued these days. Since she was in the early stages of her pregnancy,

went out and spent time with his friends. He went to Ethan’s villa, and the two sat

about a girl called Josephine Jacobson? She’s one of your guests. Do you know her background?” Ethan took the initiative

glanced at Ethan with a

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

he fell into deep thought. He had an impression that the Jacobsons were quite

“Which one?”

Our families are probably connected because of him and my grandfather, but I don’t know much about the Jacobsons

thought of something and said, “Does your wife have

nodded, then cautioned Ethan, “Steer clear of her.

“What happened? Did

a year because she tried to harm Ellen. After she was released, she still went around and caused trouble.

of Selena, so when he heard that, he

even ask Miss Jacobson out,”

as he said, “I never make the first move. Even if I were to go on a date, they would have to ask

on maintaining your pride, you won’t get the girl.” Jared glanced at the time, then got up and patted him. “I’ll

went downstairs. He unlocked his

make the first

the bouquet home, she even sprayed some water on

a habit of taking afternoon naps, so she

of watching some TV when

to be

garden. Then, she saw Ethan getting out of his sports car, which was parked

Josephine asked him over

today. Fancy going out for a ride?”

felt tempted to accept his invitation, for she was indeed a little

me out?” Josephine questioned

“Yes. Care to humor

that her mother had gone to sleep, Josephine said to Ethan, “Wait for

a pair of eyes hiding behind curtains watched the scene unfold. Selena had also heard Ethan honking earlier, and

Josephine decisively getting into Ethan’s sports car before the two disappeared off the roads of the villa garden, Selena was so mad that she

your life a living hell,”

Josephine. The wedding wasn’t supposed to be made known to the public,

Selena had committed it to memory. Now, she would send an anonymous submission signed with Josephine’s name to the TV

right to work. She would exact revenge on Josephine for

car wasn’t the only thing catching everyone’s attention; the good-looking young couple in the car

where we first met?” Josephine

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

he even went into the sea for

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

Ethan also felt a little

case, why did you

truthfully, “I accidentally came across you and mistook

a good build, and have

him generously, “You’re very handsome

me?” Ethan was a little giddy now. This feeling was different from when he was praised

misunderstand, Mr. Quarles, but I think personality triumphs over appearance. In other words, I like people

man was speechless. “Does that mean I have

like that. I still don’t know you that well, so I

to get to know me,” Ethan

this wedding,” said Josephine. Ethan came from an extraordinary background, and he belonged to a world completely different from hers. Their

we will meet again,” Ethan

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

road, and the scenery was beautiful all along the way. The car pulled up at the pavement next to the beach, which was incredibly picturesque as it

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

photos, she sensed a 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

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

you’re kind of pretty,” Ethan answered, his

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,

in the man’s arms. Her face was almost plastered onto his shirt, and she was slightly dazed from

me back?” Josephine asked

for yourself,” the man

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

you.” Josephine smiled gratefully, then

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

still put on a few expressions and even posed a little. As Josephine looked at him through the high-definition lenses, she felt

few seconds by

gleamed attractively. His deep eyes

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

too beautiful not to take some photos of herself in it, so she passed him her camera. After Ethan took the camera, Josephine found a wall that served as the background, then gave the

man was complaining that she

her lips at once, then puffed up her cheeks shortly after. She even struck some poses to get rid of the awkwardness. Unbeknownst to her, as she adjusted herself and struck different poses, the man was

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

island in the distance, then asked immediately, “Can you take a photo so that I look like I’m holding up

answered the

held up her palms. The man only had to find a good angle to take the photo so that she looked like she was holding up the island. After the photo was taken, Josephine walked toward the man, but she realized he was still clicking

she asked in embarrassment, then rushed over to snatch

camera and began looking through the photos. When she saw the numerous photos of herself, she was instantly pissed. This man hadn’t been

reached out and tried to

and they continued the chase for a dozen yards. Suddenly, the man turned around and stopped

running into his arms. He was also holding Josephine’s hands, so in an instant, the banter turned into something

go.” Josephine’s face turned red as she looked up, asking the man to

The man was

laughed amidst the anger, and she could

took a small step backward and

like

this man had quite a lot of ways to showcase his allure. He looked like he was in his