Never Too Far Novel

“Just deal with the problem as best you can. I can’t go away. What? Is that how you solve a problem?” Ethan sounded furious. Then, he started speaking in a different language. He still sounded displeased as though his subordinate had made a huge mistake at work.

Josephine was worried as she listened to him. Did anything happen to his company? He seems exasperated.

Since she was well-versed in the language, she understood that Ethan had been asking for a solution from the other party, but he couldn’t get a satisfactory answer. When the call ended, he even spoke in foul language.

Josephine had to leave at once, for she didn’t want Ethan to know she eavesdropped on him. She realized he must’ve spent too much time keeping her company and ignored his work, which was why such a mistake happened. Therefore, she decided to let him go back and deal with his work. Although they would be separated for a while, she was fine with it.

When she returned to her office, she started working on her laptop. However, when she recalled how furious the man looked, she let out a sigh. Does he think I won’t let him leave? Is that why he’s been neglecting his work and staying by my side?

While she spaced out, a towering figure stepped into the place. When she turned around and saw the man, she rose from her chair and asked, “Are you alright?”

Ethan curled his lips. “I’m fine. Am I disturbing you?”

“No. Do you have work to attend to, Ethan? You can go ahead and deal with it,” Josephine said.

Ethan was an intelligent man. He realized she must’ve passed by the corridor and overheard him lecturing his subordinate.

“Don’t worry. It’s no big deal.”

“No. Even though I love staying with you, I don’t want to affect your work. We can be separated for a while,” Josephine said sincerely.

Ethan indeed had a problem to solve, but he said calmly, “I don’t have the heart to leave you.”

Josephine placated him by saying, “It’s fine. We can always hop on a video call. If you miss me, I can take some time off work and visit you.”

“I’d like to invite your family members to have a meal with my mom in the evening so that they can meet up,” Ethan said gently. He wanted both parties to meet each other and arrange for the marriage.

“Alright, I’ll contact my parents. I have to call my dad earlier so that he’ll have enough time to come back.” Josephine was pleased that both parties were finally going to meet.

Then, Josephine called her mother. When Heidi learned about the dinner, she was elated. She had always been worried that the Quarles Family would look down on her daughter. It wasn’t that she was diffident, but the Quarles Family’s wealth was beyond her imagination.

“I’ll call your dad. We’re not going to invite your grandpa, though,” Heidi said.

Josephine understood her mother’s concerns. Peter loved alcohol, so she was worried he would drink excessively during dinner. Given his old age, they had to ensure he would only drink moderately.

“Sure. Let’s meet up with Mrs. Quarles in the evening,” Josephine replied.

Meanwhile, Ethan informed his mother about the dinner. Donna had always wanted to meet the Jacobsons. With Jenna serving as a bad example, Donna was satisfied with Josephine. The most important qualities of a woman were kindness and sincerity, after all. Her appearance and background weren’t so important.

Josephine was joyful as well, for her first live stream was successful. Her company had arranged a celebratory dinner party for her, but she turned them down since she had a more important meal to attend.

Ethan had already booked a place in a restaurant. He and Josephine waited for their parents’ arrival. Donna arrived at 6.00PM, followed by the well-dressed Mills and Heidi. When Josephine saw her mother wearing her most expensive pearl necklace, she knew the latter treated the meet-up seriously.

Donna and Heidi greeted each other. Although they came from vastly different family backgrounds, a sincere and frank smile was the best way to start a conversation.

“Hi, you guys have raised Joey well. She’s beautiful and capable.”

“You have no idea how envious I am of you for having a son like Ethan. He’s handsome and intelligent.”

The two mothers praised each other’s children. When they looked at the young couple, they were truly pleased to see them getting together.

Meanwhile, Josephine and Ethan held hands under the table. They were happy to see each other’s parents getting along well. After all, their lives would be filled with joy since they had their parents’ blessings.

Their parents got closer during the dinner. After seeing them off at around 8.30PM, Josephine and Ethan finally had some time alone.

Ethan was in a hurry as he had to leave by 3.00PM the next day. He promised that he would come back to her in half a month.

On the other hand, Josephine didn’t need him to come back in a rush. However, when she learned that he was heading to the Arctic, she was worried and hoped he would come back safely.

After a night of intimacy, Ethan suffered from insomnia. No woman had ever made him unwilling to leave her before. He was even worried that Josephine would stop loving him when he returned half a month later.

Josephine awakened before dawn. When she realized the man beside her was wide awake, she was shocked. She hugged him and asked, “Why didn’t you sleep?”

“It’s fine. I can get some shut-eye on the flight.” Ethan wrapped his arms around her and ran his fingers through her soft hair.

“Let’s go to the beach and watch the sunrise,” he suggested.

Since Josephine was well-rested, she nodded. “Sure.”

Young people like them could go wherever they wanted to when they felt like it. Josephine put on some light makeup and changed into a dress before leaving with Ethan.

The road was empty at this hour, so they didn’t have to worry about getting stuck in traffic. Ethan and Josephine were thrilled as the car moved at an incredible speed. They were in a hurry as they could already see the sun spreading its glow across the clouds. Needless to say, the sun was about to rise.

Ethan found the best place to watch the sunrise on the internet and drove to the destination. They soon left a coconut grove and arrived at the beach where the sunrise would be the most beautiful.

Josephine opened the door and walked along the beach while holding hands with the man. As they watched the sun rising above the clouds and shining its rays everywhere, they couldn’t help but feel awestruck.

“It’s magnificent!” she exclaimed. It had been a long time since she last watched such a beautiful sight at ease.

It was made even more meaningful since she could do it with the man she loved.

Ethan’s gaze fell upon her face. No doubt she was alluring as the morning rays shone on her. The morning breeze blew through her long hair, making her look adorable yet charming. His heart fluttered at the sight.

He placed his arm around her shoulder and kissed her hair. When Josephine looked up and saw the attractive man beside her, she was aroused. She boldly draped her arms around his neck and tiptoed.

The man lowered his figure and supported her weight, so she didn’t have to exert herself. Then, he easily lifted her off her feet and let her legs wrap around his waist.

The kiss was intimate and intense.

Their breathing became unstable as Ethan shuffled toward the car while carrying the woman. Realizing what the man was up to, Josephine was shocked. She thumped his chest and demanded, “Put me down, Ethan.”

However, the man had been aroused, so he wouldn’t let her go. Moreover, they were in the right place and at the right time. He wanted to try out a different kind of excitement with her.

Since they were about to part ways, Josephine decided to let the man do whatever he wanted. The intimate session was intense as they were reluctant to bid each other farewell.

A long time later, it was fully bright outside as the breeze whisked through them gently. Ethan sent her home. After she took a shower and put on her clothes, he sent her to the company.

“I have to go home and pack up. Let’s have lunch together later,” he suggested.

“Alright, see you later.” Josephine got out of the car and entered the company.

When she was done with her makeup, she headed to the studio in tip-top condition. In the corridor outside the studio, Katrina stood there and looked at the confident Josephine in a blue suit while the woman presented the news. No doubt she was green with envy. Perhaps I’ll replace her soon and present the news to the audience. Just wait, Josephine. I’ll destroy you!

Katrina sent a document to Atticus. When she saw several documents that had to be dealt with urgently on the table, she asked, “Atticus, do you want me to send these to Mr. Quarles?”

“There’s no need for that. Mr. Quarles isn’t in his office. He’s leaving the country.”

“Where is he going? How long will he be absent?” she asked.

“I have no idea where he’s going, but I suppose he’ll be absent for one to two months. He told me to take care of Josephine, though.”

Katrina was secretly pleased. When the scandal breaks out, Ethan won’t be in the country. That’s wonderful. Since he can’t help Josephine, her reputation will be ruined. When that happens, all the viewers in the country will hate her. By then, I just have to hire some trolls to flame her online. She will be so embarrassed that she will have no choice but to resign.

At the thought of this, Katrina was ecstatic. When she left the place, she even sported a smug smile. She had prepared some material, so she could post it online whenever she felt like it.

After Josephine and Ethan had their lunch, he had to head to the airport. Donna would be leaving with him this time, and he would send his mother home before going to the Arctic to deal with his work.

When Josephine arrived home in the afternoon, she cleaned up the house and realized she had already started missing Ethan barely an hour after the man was gone. She missed him so much that she could no longer do anything else. She just wanted to space out and think about him.

At that moment, she couldn’t help teasing herself. Before she fell in love, she never expected to miss someone so much.

Now, she finally realized the power of love.

up her phone to call Ethan, but when she recalled that he must be boarding the plane at this hour, she put it down and scrolled through her photos. Just then,

are you doing right now?’ Ethan

and replied, ‘Hasn’t the plane

talk to you before we’re asked to turn off our phones.’ He wasn’t willing to turn off

talk another time. Turn off your phone now,’ Josephine texted. She just wanted him to

her a selfie, which was taken from a weird angle. He wasn’t used to taking selfies, but since

into laughter and saved the photo. ‘I miss you. We’ll talk when you

I miss you too,’ he replied and turned off his

Fortunately, the makeup artist was able to conceal them for her. She had suffered from insomnia last night since Ethan wasn’t there to hug her. She kept tossing and turning

what happens when a

sleep soundly on her own. Now

had only been a few days since she became a news

a small media company. As long as the scandal broke out, all the

presenting the news, Katrina dialed a

person replied, “Alright. I’ll upload the photos right away and spend some

first step was to upload photos of a female model whose face had been changed to Josephine’s.

her a link. She clicked on it and looked at the photos while

She had been lacking sleep as of late, so her assistant didn’t dare to disturb her as she closed the

had been leaked, they certainly wouldn’t want to miss the hype.

nasty comments and started cursing at her.

well. The first person who saw the news was in

Soon, the news was shared in the company’s group chat.

a move. When she saw how thrilled her colleagues were in the group chat, she believed Josephine’s reputation would be destroyed this time.

Wren saw the news, she flew into a rage. “Who’s pranking Joey

on the couch. She was oblivious to

saw the assistant sorting out documents, she

some rest in the office.

sleeping?” Then, Wren pushed the door open and found the woman sleeping on the couch. She walked up to her and patted her. “Wake up,

she saw how anxious Wren

iPad. “Look. Someone is smearing your name on the internet. They’ve even cut out your face and

someone to paste her face on a woman wearing silk stockings and in sexy postures.

woman looked, she placated her by saying, “Don’t worry.

down and figure out who pulled such a

the woman was enraged, so she quickly patted her

very calm.” She wasn’t worried about what was being circulated on the internet. She had to get to the

her to explain anything on the internet. If she wanted to clear her name, she had to bring the culprit to justice and make

let out a breath. I don’t think I’ve offended anyone in my private life, but I did fall out with several people in the

culprit. It was apparent to her that the culprit intended to smear her name and

it’s likely to be Katrina, for Tori probably

followed her and asked, “Where are you

her, Josephine walked up to the elevator where many colleagues looked judgingly at her. It was as though they were mocking

their gazes, for when the truth was

the elevator, they started talking behind

expect her to take such salacious photos for money when she was a student. Made me

drooling over her body now. It’s no wonder Mr. Quarles is fond of her.

wonder what Mr. Quarles will think of these photos when he

be displeased. The men out there have seen his girlfriend’s

right. I suppose Mr. Quarles will dump her

some people

who were usually on good terms with Josephine. However, they looked at her in

photos real?” someone

not

gone, someone sneered. “She certainly wouldn’t admit

were her, I would’ve dug a hole and hidden my face into it instead of

scrolling through everything about Josephine on her phone. No doubt she was pleased as she could already imagine Josephine losing her job. The netizens commented that they would

of coffee, which she

door flung open, almost causing her to jump in shock. She lifted her head and saw Josephine storming into the place. Her gaze was filled

put down the coffee and snapped. “What’s wrong with you, Josephine? If you break my door, I’ll make you

you?” Josephine questioned

astounded, but she appeared as if she had been wronged. “What are you

photos and post them online? You couldn’t outcompete me, so you pulled such a dirty trick on me, didn’t you?” Josephine balled up her fists. She was certain that Katrina

sneer. “That’s funny. How can you accuse me of doing such a thing without any evidence? What right

stepped forward and clenched her collars

never seen Josephine being so ferocious. A

it was you!”

many people around, she decided to put on an act. She started sobbing and said aggrievedly, “What

“Just you wait. I’ll look into the

turned to her colleagues who were watching the commotion at the door and said, “Everyone, let’s reason this out. Josephine wrongly accused me without distinguishing right from wrong. She’s the one who engaged in such licentious actions, yet she wants to push the blame onto me. Have you

on Katrina’s side, finding Josephine

innocent, Katrina. Josephine only acts high and mighty in the office because of her relationship with Mr. Quarles. What actual power does she have

they would kick Josephine down and

explain yourself, Jacobson? When

“Yeah! Are you broke?”

low! The world isn’t short of broke women, yet none would take such licentious photos to make

crowd’s self-righteous accusations, Josephine calmly announced, “I won’t explain myself. All of you will know the kind of

walked away, leaving Katrina barking behind her, “Do you really think you’re some big shot?! As if I’m afraid of you,

assistant approached her, asking her to go to Atticus’

gazed at her with some regret. “Josephine, how can something so damaging happen? Do

give me some time, Mr. Kowalski,” Josephine requested. She was the number-one

Take some time off for now. Do you want me to report this to

once, and she quickly said, “I’ll tell him myself. No need to trouble yourself with this,

wanted was for Ethan to learn about this incident. Although the pictures were fake, they would still leave a negative note on Ethan when it was her face that was

deal with this her

blown the issue up, Josephine remained calm. She didn’t lose her rationality and give in to anxiety

talk about Peter’s job. Josephine never got it when she was little. But a couple of middle-aged men approached her

and since then, she stuck fast to her father’s words, never mentioning her grandfather’s

already retired, he remained influential in politics. She never requested anything substantial from her grandfather, either. In fact, she didn’t even use his influence

time had crossed the line, and she was absolutely

grabbed her phone

“Hey, Joey, missing Grandpa?”

help with

“Have you been mistreated?”

when I see you.” With

she stepped into the elevator, a senior who was usually kind to her comforted her. “Don’t let it get to you, Joey. I know it’s a move someone jealous of you made against

doing good.”

Tori just as she left the elevator, and it was inevitable that Tori would have a few words

you really take licentious photos for

a part of this?” Josephine looked

you talking

which caused Tori to snort disdainfully and retort,

in response. “You better have nothing to do with this, or I’ll have you expelled from the broadcasting

and ridiculed, “You? Kick me out? Whom do you think you’re kicking down when you’re already in

Josephine warned. “If you are involved in this, tell me now

issue was severe when she looked at Josephine’s expression, but she knew that she was merely being threatened

If you don’t take care of

Josephine clasped her wrist

up to attack me. I don’t have the proof yet, but I

woman had an indescribable sense of dominance, and it sent chills down Tori’s spine. For a moment, she thought Josephine might

Tori wrested her arm away and sneered. “You better not speak out of turn without

the evidence,” Josephine declared

couldn’t help frowning in response. She hoped Katrina had done a clean job and not given Josephine any chances of finding any evidence, or Katrina, that big mouth, would certainly sell her out once they investigated her. Even if

such, she went straight to Katrina’s

“Did you see it? The whole

“Good job,” Tori praised.

Sullivan, have always been reliable. Tori, you have to recommend me when the

only send you up after Josephine comes down. However, I ran into Josephine just now. She seems

Besides, does she even have that kind of ability?! If anything, Mr. Quarles might be questioning her now! Then again, he’s not in the

is not