Never Too Far Novel

“You guys move back a little. We’ll dig a rescue passage.”

After analyzing the situation, they discovered a boulder blocking their way, and forcefully breaking it could potentially cause a collapse. It was then that a rescue member announced some shocking news. “Their breathing is weak. We need to send them out, else they won’t make it. Also, we’re facing an issue, Mr. Quarles. There’s a rock ahead that can only be blasted open with a small explosive, but we’re concerned about the risk of collapse. If we use other methods, it may take us three more hours.”

Ethan contemplated the situation. With the lives of three individuals slipping away, he quickly decided, “No, three of my men are unconscious, and their lives are at stake right now.”

“But if we forcefully detonate the explosives, you will all be at risk, Mr. Quarles. We can’t take the risk, and your status—”

“Quit it with the status thing. Here, everyone’s life is equally important. There is no distinction of rank.” Ethan interjected.

“Alright.” The rescue team captain nodded after coming to himself. “I’ll select the best blasting position. Give me ten minutes.”

“Thank you,” said Ethan before stepping back to the side of his subordinates.

The blasting work began intensely, and everyone held their breath and listened to the work unfolding on the other side. They were eager to be rescued but also worried about encountering further danger.

One of the team members delivered this news to the communication team, and it quickly reached Edward, who let out a heavy sigh of relief after the call. His only son was still alive. It was the greatest blessing from above to him.

As for Josephine, she hadn’t received any news yet, for only a few people knew about this information. It was done to avoid disrupting the rescue operation and to protect the news.

After all, Ethan’s current predicament was likely orchestrated by someone with ill intentions. With the complex crowd of rescue personnel, controlling the spread of information was another way to protect Ethan.

In the dark cave, with a loud explosion, the previously obstructing rock could be heard breaking into heavy fragments, and a hole big enough for one person to pass through appeared.

“Quickly, carry the injured out,” Ethan immediately commanded his subordinates to transport the wounded first.

The rescue personnel on the other side were ready to receive them outside. Soon, the three injured individuals were brought out, followed by the departure of the staff one by one.

“Mr. Ethan, please leave!” one of Ethan’s bodyguards urged him to leave first, but Ethan looked at his frightened subordinates beside him. He didn’t leave immediately but stayed behind to calm them down.

“Go out one by one in an orderly manner. Don’t rush. We will all make it out safely,” Ethan reassured them.

One young engineer covered his face and burst into tears. The joy of being rescued and the fear suppressed within him overwhelmed his emotions.

“Mr. Ethan!” However, the bodyguards hoped Ethan would prioritize his own escape.

“Let them go first,” Ethan ordered firmly. His departure would only increase the employees’ fear.

Soon, more than twenty employees left one after another, and Ethan instructed his bodyguards to assist the employees who were weak in their legs. However, just as the last employee left, a loud rumbling sound could be heard, accompanied by a muffled groaning in the air, as if something couldn’t withstand the pressure.

“Mr. Ethan, hurry! This place is about to collapse,” the remaining two bodyguards exclaimed.

“Get out quickly. It’s collapsing!” The rescue team members also started to panic. They could clearly feel vibrations under their feet, indicating the possibility of a large-scale collapse.

Ethan crouched and crawled out of the hole. Just as his two bodyguards emerged, ready to leave, they heard a thunderous noise behind them.

“Run!” Ethan shouted, leading the bodyguards to sprint toward the exit.

Everything happened too quickly. The collapse behind them was like a devil that followed them closely. Just as Ethan ran out, he saw an employee, scared and supporting himself at the edge of the hole, panting. He had just been knocked down by the chaotic crowd. Now, hearing the rumbling behind him, he was terrified.

“Run!” Ethan grabbed him and pulled him forward, but the employee was too shocked to move his leaden legs.

Ethan had no choice but to lift him up and sprint ahead. His bodyguard also came to help. As if they were running away from death itself, Ethan and the bodyguard carried the engineer and dashed through the passage with intense falling rocks.

The main group ahead had already reached a stable area. The rescue team captain urged everyone to leave at once while he stayed behind to cover their retreat. When he looked back and saw the bodyguard carrying two people, he shouted, “Where is Mr. Quarles? Is he still inside?”

The entrance was still shaking, with debris constantly falling. If someone was inside, they would likely be buried alive.

“Mr. Ethan!” The four bodyguards put down the people they were carrying and ran toward the entrance.

“Come back!” The rescue team captain immediately stopped them. “Going in there would be suicide.”

“But Mr. Ethan and my comrades are still inside!” one bodyguard roared worriedly. At this moment, their sense of duty and their bond with their comrades pushed them to defy life and death.

Fortunately, the sound of footsteps came from inside the tunnel, and they saw someone rushing out amidst the falling rocks.

It was a bodyguard carrying a young man. Their heads were injured to varying degrees.

“Where is Mr. Ethan?”

“He’s behind. Deo is injured, and Mr. Ethan is supporting him!” The bloodied bodyguard with a broken head was still shaken.

The rescue team captain also caught his breath. He had been given the order to prioritize Ethan’s rescue. However, his target was still trapped inside the tunnel right then while everyone else had come out safely.

Just then, footsteps were heard again, and everyone’s hearts tightened.

He appeared, supporting a bodyguard whose head and face were bleeding. He was covered in dirt, with

of the tunnel. Ethan had never felt despair in his life, but when he heard that sound, despair instantly spread through

tunnel completely collapsed behind

hopeless, several hands appeared to take over the bodyguard from his hands. But just as he reached out,

Josephine,

last thought before sinking into

“Mr. Ethan…”

sky was already bright when the rescue team emerged, and several rescue vehicles were parked nearby, receiving the injured. Suddenly, an urgent voice rang

a stretcher and rushing toward an ambulance. After opening the back door, the doctors waiting inside gasped with shock when

Lord! How could it be Mr. Quarles? Why

“Quick, save him.”

immediately began dressing the head wound and

as the vehicles headed toward the base. Everyone returned to the base, exhausted, and rested. The

the latter rushed over

Edward turned pale with

could it be so serious? Wasn’t he unharmed?” Edward turned to the bodyguards. Despite also being injured, they were more concerned about

us. When we were escaping, he was hit by a stone and lost consciousness on the spot,” the

vision blurred for a moment. He had a hard

room was still lit. Under the operating lights, the wound at the back of Ethan’s head was being cleaned and stitched up. His hair was shaved off, and his handsome

night out of worry, was awakened by the light outside the window. She checked the time. Seeing it was 6.30AM, she quickly got up, changed her clothes, and came out. She felt a sense of urgency

is over at

That means

the floor where the medical room was located. However, along the way, she noticed many people wearing grave expressions, making her

called to

ended the call at once. When he saw how anxious Josephine looked, he quickly reassured her, saying, “Don’t worry, Miss Jacobson. Everything’s going to be okay.

by Jacques’ words. She grabbed him and asked, “What

was hit on the head by a rock. He’s currently in the operating

there. Hurry!” Josephine was on the verge of a meltdown. Tears streamed down

treatment. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, so it could be considered a

the other hand, sat aside, waiting for news about his son. When he saw Jacques entering with a young girl,

fluency in the language was superb

a bit upon hearing Edward’s voice. She greeted him, saying, “Hello, Mr. Quarles. Has Ethan come out

came out a moment ago. Ethan’s vital signs are stable, but

girl was the love of Ethan’s life and was

into an unusual silence. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the

there lay Ethan quietly on it.

at the sight of Ethan being wheeled out. Still, ultimately, tears rolled down her cheeks like beads of a broken string. She

was engaged in a serious conversation with Edward, who listened attentively, and only then did Josephine approach the

she called out to

would with a smile. She reached out to hold his hand that was hanging on the side. The icy cold touch and the lack

to the ICU,” the nurse said

free from Jacques’ grasp. Her mind was blank, and all she

the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the nurses work, observing as Ethan was put on a ventilator and had needles inserted into his arm

son lying on the hospital

that Ethan’s injury had not affected the central region of his brain, which meant it wouldn’t impact his intelligence. However, it was highly likely that it had damaged the area responsible

worry too much, Miss Jacobson. Ethan will be okay.” Edward comforted her before

you like something to eat, Miss Jacobson?”

down where she could see Ethan. She watched the nurses perform various examinations on him,

returned from his rest. When he stepped out of the

it to her, feeling bad for the woman. “Please eat something, Miss Jacobson. Mr. Ethan will scold me if he wakes up and finds out I haven’t been taking

had been living in a dream these past few

an eye. The rescue team had departed, and the Quarles were preparing to take Ethan back to the family

Josephine wished to see him, she could only spend a brief ten minutes with

arrived at the Quarles Residence,

had been waiting at the hospital, had red and swollen eyes. Her heart was shattered, and when she saw Josephine, she went up and hugged the

this time, Josephine,” said Donna, deeply moved by Josephine’s affection for her son. She saw Josephine’s sacrifices and dedication,

wake up. It would make everything worthwhile,” said Josephine as tears

the tissue from her assistant before handing it to

Mrs. Quarles. I want to stay with

up and finds you collapsed? What would we do then? Go rest!” Donna expressed

“You haven’t shut your eyes since getting on the plane, Miss Jacobson, and have been drinking coffee to stay awake.

was taken aback and urged the young woman at once, “No more staying up, Josephine. I still have hopes for you

peace to Josephine’s heart. That’s right, his family is here!

went to rest while Donna approached the ward and noticed her husband standing there, exhausted. She hugged him, and Edward held

be fine.” Donna nodded

on her situation. She continued to lie to them, saying she was on a trip, and she sent them the photos Ethan had taken for

while you’re young!” Heidi sounded

a little tired from all the fun, Mom, so I’ll go get some rest.” Josephine couldn’t chat with her mother for too long, afraid that

Have fun and take

her mother. One of them was a selfie taken by Ethan. He had a radiant smile, and his eyes

fragile. She wanted to be strong, but

sleep. However, without the assistance of medication, she truly