Never Too Far Novel

Fear enveloped Tori’s face when she saw Katrina sitting in the police station, and she reflexively hugged her arms when she sensed a chill.

How is this possible? How did Katrina get arrested? Didn’t she say it was foolproof?! Wasn’t she confident of not being caught?! It has only been less than three hours since Josephine’s scandal was out, and Katrina has already been arrested! She even sold me out! Thank goodness the cops didn’t mention my full name.

However, the words ‘female news anchor’ and ‘Alford’ made her panic, for she was the only female news anchor whose surname was Alford in the station!

Tori held her chest as uneasiness arose within her. What’s to become of me if Katrina’s been arrested?!

Just then, her phone rang. Seeing it was an unknown number, she took a deep breath and answered it, “Hello, who is this?”

“Is this Tori Alford?” the caller went straight to the point.

“This is her speaking. Who is this on the line?”

“This is the city police department. We need you to come and cooperate with us on a case and give a statement,” said the female voice on the other end of the line.

“Now? But it’s already nine,” Tori said, thinking her social status should give her some leverage.

“The station is available 24/7. Someone will be available to take your statement. I suggest you come now.”

“C-Can I go tomorrow?” Tori tried to bargain.

“We will personally go to you if you don’t come on your own. Your choice! Goodnight, Miss Alford.” With that, the caller hung up.

Tori bit her lip in anger. It seemed that her social status didn’t carry much weight with the police. She quickly thought of someone she knew and made a call for help.

“Thomas, I’m in a bit of trouble. Can you help me out?”

After getting the other person’s agreement to help her, Tori finally walked out with her bag. However, she found her colleagues staring at her as soon as she came out, and there were whispers and finger-pointing wherever she went.

No one normally dared speak ill of her behind her back. But this very day, she became a public target.

“It’s her, isn’t it? She’s the one the statement is referring to.”

“It can only be her! Is there another anchorwoman with the surname Alford in our station?”

“To think she’s an accomplice in Josephine’s scandal! Poor Josephine.”

“Tell me about it. I feel so bad for looking down on Josephine now.”

When Tori entered the elevator, she could even feel her female colleagues’ disdainful gazes on her. A bold one even deliberately asked her fellow female colleague. “Say, who do you think is Katrina’s accomplice? Do we have an Alford anchorwoman in our station?”

“Of course, we do! Do you not know?”

“Sigh! I swear these people have nothing better to do! To think they continue to frame other people when they’re already news anchors!”

“You can say that again. The wicked are still wicked no matter how pretty they look.”

Alas, Tori could only suck it up even when she had been insulted indirectly. Now, she finally realized what Josephine was capable of.

After leaving the station, Tori ultimately drove straight to the police station, and when she arrived, the man she asked for help held Tori’s hand with ill intentions from inside the car. “Don’t worry, okay, Tori? I’ll take care of this. This is nothing! Go give your statement and leave the rest to me.”

Tori endured the disgust of being taken advantage of, for the man in the car was in his sixties, and though he was well-dressed, he exuded an old man’s smell that she couldn’t stand. She would’ve rather died than ask him for help before this. But now, he was her only ticket out of this, even though she knew she would have to pay the price.

“Go on, go and make your statement. We’ll talk when you come out.” It was evident what the man was implying.

However, Tori was genuinely fearful. She worried she would end up in jail because of Katrina. That way, her reputation would be ruined. How could she continue to survive in television in the future?!

Hence, she would inevitably have to ‘serve’ this old man if she wanted to get away with it. Fear surged within her, but she had no other choice. He held the highest governmental position among the people she knew.

“Alright, I’ll go in, then. Please do speak up for me if there’s anything, Mr. Zeigler,” Tori said with a sweet smile.

“Go on!” Thomas Zeigler’s eyes beamed lecherously, surprised that Tori would one day come to him for help.

After Tori entered the police station, she was whisked away to give her statement, and the police asked her questions based on Katrina’s testimony. “Tori Alford, according to Katrina Sullivan, you’re the one who incited her to frame Josephine Jacobson, is that right?”

“Katrina’s framing me! That didn’t happen at all! Josephine and I are good friends. No way will I harm her. Besides, why would I want to do that?!”

“But Sullivan insisted that you incited her into framing Jacobson and even promised to promote her to Jacobson’s position after this.”

“What a joke! Her brother-in-law is the station’s major shareholder. She just needs to beg her brother-in-law if she wants a promotion. Who am I to promote her?! I swear I’m innocent, officer. I have nothing to do with this at all. Do you have proof of my involvement?” Tori cleared herself of any involvement in the incident.

Indeed, Katrina was the only culprit based on the evidence they found. She superimposed the photos and uploaded them online herself.

“Tori Alford, we reserve the right to prosecute you for this matter. You can go home for now. If necessary, we will ask you to come back.”

Tori was instantly relieved. Katrina’s verbal statement wouldn’t do her any damage. However, she wasn’t sure if Katrina had other forms of evidence.

At that, she looked through her chat history with Katrina, and much to her dismay, they had discussed the matter over text, and she was the one who asked Katrina about the photos.

‘How did it go?’

‘They’ve been superimposed and ready to be uploaded any time. Just sit back and enjoy the show, Tori!’

Tori covered her mouth in fear at once, and she deleted the messages in a panic. However, she still felt disturbed, for she would be doomed if Katrina showed the police the messages.

Later, Tori gulped when she saw Thomas still waiting for her after exiting the police station. Ultimately, she took a deep breath and approached his car.

Meanwhile, Josephine returned home at about 10.00PM, and at this point, the news had turned around as the licentious photos had all been taken down. When she checked the comments again, everyone sympathized and apologized to her. Now, it was Katrina who was receiving public condemnation.

If her hunch was right, Tori was the instigator. Hence, Josephine wouldn’t stop at only having Katrina bear the brunt. She wanted to see Tori punished for her actions and apologize to her.

The woman couldn’t be left out of this.

She had switched her phone off, for she had been bombarded with calls, and a dozen or so of them belonged to Atticus, presumably because his wife wanted him to ask her to settle do a private settlement.

No way! Josephine would pursue the matter to the end. She would have everyone involved suffer the consequences they deserved.

At the same time, the Sullivans had been thrown into chaos, with Ivanka bawling and repenting to her parents, who were also all over the place, worried that this would be the end of their younger daughter.

“Mom, Dad, I promise you I’ll sort this out. I’ll have Atticus save Kat!” Ivanka swore to her parents.

Later, Ivanka threw the responsibility onto Atticus, who had no choice but to drive to Josephine’s home.

It was already 10.00PM, so Heidi couldn’t help but be bewildered to find her daughter’s boss at their doorstep. “What brings you here at this hour, Mr. Kowalski?”

“Is Josephine home, Mrs. Jacobson? I’d like to have a word with her, please.”

“She’s upstairs. Let me get her for you.”

Meanwhile, Josephine got dressed and went down when she heard noises. “I know why you’re here, Mr. Kowalski,” Josephine said, gazing at Atticus in the garden. “But there’s no room for negotiation. Please leave.”

“Josephine, I know that Katrina has gone overboard this time, but as long as you withdraw the charges against her, I assure you that I’ll fire her, and she’ll disappear from your life. Also, I’ll compensate you appropriately and ask her to apologize to you,” Atticus promised.

Unfortunately, Josephine could feel her blood boiling in her veins this time as she sneered, “Mr. Kowalski, this matter has breached my bottom line and you can forget that I’ll ever settle this matter peacefully. If you have any opinions against me, then I’ll submit my resignation first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll leave the company!”

“No, Josephine. That’s not what I mean. I’m not asking you to leave. I just want to know if we can settle this matter in private. After all, we’re colleagues and I would like you to make an exception for my sake.”

“No, I will not. Not only Katrina but Tori is involved in this as well. Please ensure that Tori is also well taken care of. If she remains in the company, I’ll resign as well. I do not want to see these two as long as I continue working here,” Josephine threatened.

Atticus gulped. It didn’t matter who resigned, but that person should never be Josephine! Otherwise, Ethan would be the one asking for him to tender his resignation. “Is there really no other solution, Josephine?”

“No. There’s no other way aside from tossing her into prison. Also, my grandfather is still hale and hearty, so I won’t be allowing anyone to pull any connections to get her out of serving time,” she warned coldly.

Finally, Atticus understood her intentions and could only let Katrina pay the price for her actions. “Okay, the company will take action against Tori as well. Don’t worry and please come back to work.”

At midnight, Tori sobbed while cleaning herself in the hotel bathtub, retching from time to time. Even if she didn’t end up in jail, the Heavens had bestowed upon her a different punishment because of what she did with Katrina.

After Ethan left the hotel, he went to the TV station. As the biggest shareholder of the station, he had a spacious and bright office that he didn’t usually use for work. Instead, he was here for fun. Right after he arrived, he checked the list of phone number extensions next to the phone. He narrowed his eyes as he carefully scanned the list until he found Josephine’s extension number and dialed it with his slender fingers.

a few minutes after that farce of a meeting when the phone on her desk started ringing, and she instinctively picked it up. “Hello, this is the reporters’ office. How may I help

upstairs,”

widened a

Eighteenth floor,” he

here

showing up at the company was the last thing

upstairs,” he repeated once more and

button for the eighteenth floor and went all the way up. The eighteenth

to him. Her entire demeanor made him grin in

me here?”

Ethan led her into his office, he closed the door, slumped back lazily on the couch, and answered, “I just want

face burning. “I’m

for you,”

few seconds. Is this guy okay? Why did he buy me a sports

he tossed the problem back to her. “I’ve already placed my purchase and it will be delivered in the afternoon. What am I going to do if

her lip and tentatively inquired, “Can

“Nope.”

the first place before making such a purchase!”

he would never take back the gift that he had specifically bought for someone else. The instant it was out of his hands, it wasn’t his problem any longer. The other party could do anything

completely unreasonable. “Return it! My

sports car isn’t a big deal to me. Plus, if you refuse to use it, I’ll just let it park at that spot

fluttered as she caught sight of his pearly whites and felt her heart racing. This man can truly sway hearts with his

her phone started ringing, and she saw that it was Luke calling her.

tonight. I’ll pick you up after work later,” he said over

promised to buy him a meal, she readily agreed as she didn’t see a need to

was one thing—she had decided to make things clear to Luke that they

not give up so easily if she simply rejected him verbally. If she let him know that her heart

make Luke give up must be more outstanding, better looking, and richer than him, she thought, and there was only one person around her who checked all the boxes. So, she turned her attention back to

arched his

a favor?” she

surprise, he

as my boyfriend

became excited, and a look

to help, she breathed a sigh of relief and truly hoped that Luke would come to his senses today. That way he would not waste his youth on her. “Mr. Quarles,

“Sure, go ahead!”

just when she returned to her desk, a commotion started in the group chat. Someone posted some pictures they had taken at the basement parking lot. Under the lighting, an eye-catching red Ferrari with its bright, glossy paint was parked there, marveling

god, whose car is that standing in the VIP parking

I think it

belong to? Will someone in the

to Josephine next to her and whispered enthusiastically, “Joey, do you know whose Ferrari is that? Just

stared at that sports car displayed on the iPad in utter astonishment. Is this

a gift. Could it belong

in the company, she was beautiful, talented, and also

she suddenly blurted, “It’s not

if not Tori’s?” Immediately, Wren became more interested

feeling her face burning in embarrassment, an assistant placed a paper bag on her desk. “Josephine, someone told me to pass

Just as she feared, there was a box with the Ferrari logo emblemed on it. Then, as she shakily opened the box in the paper bag, she found the car key laying silently

in her head. What am I going to do now? The entire office is talking about this and if I admit that

Next to her, Wren narrowed her eyes and pondered over this like a

discretely slipped the bag under her desk and held her aching head in

couldn’t sleep a wink at all because she was busy blaming herself. In the meantime,

she despised Tori to the core. If Tori hadn’t instigated her, she would have never made such a mistake. Undoubtedly,

Josephine showed up at work as usual. She was the target of sneers and ridicule yesterday, but some who scorned her were avoiding her like the

background truly was, so they were now genuinely afraid of crossing her. On the other hand, Josephine appeared as though nothing had

an opportunity to approach her, she breathed a sigh of relief as she stated, “Katrina is

course, there’s another person besides her,” Josephine said.

Tori could be such a person. I just assumed that she was just

Katrina made such a dumb move. Because of this, she didn’t have to face the two people she hated the most on

completely unaffected by the scandal that had taken the company by storm. Instead, her performance was amazing, and several netizens deliberately waited to watch her news broadcast just to see how talented the framed host was. By the end of it, some of them were even smitten with her looks and professionalism and turned into her fans. In addition, her broadcast rating went up by ten points, which was an all-time high

was placed under investigation and suspended without pay. Meanwhile, Katrina was given the boot and was no longer part of the

Josephine. You’re amazing! You have no idea how people are

graceful, and

face. “Really? I’ll do my best to take care of myself,

to be in a rush, but when she saw Josephine, she glared at her furiously. “You’re definitely swimming in delight now, aren’t

mercilessly, “You brought this upon yourself. Why should I be delighted when I’m

now facing such criticism from Josephine, she felt the very last strands of her sanity snap. “Don’t get so cocky, Josephine. You’ll receive your retribution,” she spat viciously and went

entered in a flurry of skirts. “Just what are you doing here? Didn’t

can host the news. This doesn’t affect my work in any way. Please let me

Just look at what you’ve done to Katrina!” Atticus was furious. Because of this matter, his wife was in a cold war with him, leaving their three sons alone

that I

you keep pestering

Tori was willing to do anything to save her job as she suddenly dropped to her knees in front of Atticus and said humbly, “Mr. Kowalski, I’m begging you. I can do anything you say. Please let me continue my work

her job here, it would spell the end of her career in the industry because none of the other TV stations would

jumped in surprise at the sight, and

the car is ready. Are you leaving now?” the assistant inquired professionally, smart enough

immediately took the opportunity to open the door and walk out. Unfortunately, Tori followed closely behind like a piece of

The instant she caught sight of Tori holding her husband so intimately, she lost her temper, lunged forward, and

Slap!

to be enjoying the show

such a day coming for her,

husband as well? You b*tch, I’m going to kill you!” Ivanka showed the masses just how shrewd she could truly be

encountered such a situation before. Since she had no experience in this, all

employees nearby bothered to help. Instead, they were watching on the sidelines as she received a

in trouble all because of you, jinx! Why didn’t you go to jail instead?! How could you still have the cheeks to show up

When Josephine silently watched the sight of the disheveled Tori as Ivanka rained hits on her, she only had one thought: That Tori really deserved

couldn’t allow things to escalate any further. So, he pulled

her nose up in the air and barely looked anyone straight in the eye. Now, she could clearly see that the people she thought were nothing but nobodies, were mocking and criticizing her. Amongst the crowd, she even found Josephine with her hands crossed over

the video was an assistant whom Tori had bullied in the past. The assistant had nursed a grudge of rather massive proportions due to Tori’s abuse. So, there was

her reputation took yet another massive hit, causing it to drop straight to the dumps. The top searches of major websites were dominated by Katrina and Tori. Not only do they have to endure public criticism, but someone deliberately exposed Tori’s dirty

about her, and she no longer had a future. She could continue living in reality, but she had lost her favorite job. Even if

to pay a

prevented her from saving anything. Now, besides her ruined reputation, she also had to figure out how to sustain her future

easy to achieve, but it was difficult to go from luxury to simplicity. She couldn’t return

I really hate you,” Tori exclaimed, venting her

approached the mirror, the mark of the slap from Ivanka still visible

confined in custody, suffering more than Tori. She not only

a bunch of gifts in different sizes and packages. She had just bought them, including expensive

her, she stood up, intending to leave. But

to talk, nor did she want to

of my sister. She is foolish and naive, just a young woman in her twenties. Josephine, I beg

please don’t do this. My stance on this matter is clear—I

sister? I promise she’ll never appear in front of you again,” Ivanka

had no intention of relenting. When Katrina caused harm to her, she

and she knows very well what is right and wrong. If she insisted on ruining my

to you. Can’t you spare my sister for his sake?” Ivanka tried to appeal to Josephine through her

sister’s

her eyes. How could she have stopped it when it was her idea to begin with? Otherwise, Katrina

my sister genuinely realizes her mistake. Please spare her! I’m sorry, I apologize on behalf of my

dismissed Ivanka, urging, “Mrs. Kowalski, take your things and there’s no need to apologize to

extremely desperate. She genuinely and sincerely pleaded with Josephine. Usually, she was an arrogant person who didn’t care about others, but today, not only did Josephine not give her a chance,

must you go so far? We’re all part of the same company. Your boyfriend and my husband are also partners. Are you purposely trying to make things look ugly?”

you want my boyfriend and your husband

spent over three hundred thousand on these gifts just

the change in her attitude, from apologizing to blame-shifting. She even suspected that Ivanka and Katrina were colluding,

it would be best if you leave now. Let’s avoid escalating things further.” Josephine gestured toward

the gifts and left. As she walked out, she glanced back at Josephine’s

her phone to send a message

of you.’ Apparently,

of relief. Her pictures had been deleted, and they couldn’t be found on

leaving for the

the Arctic, so I won’t be able to

fine! Just occasional communication is enough.’