Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 421-430

At the same time, Harriet realized that Hayley’s face seemed to have changed. Though she still looked beautiful, it seemed that she had done something to her appearance.

To be frank, Harriet rejected the behavior of pursuing beauty through surgery. Since her body had been given to her by her parents, she should cherish them.

“I’m sorry for coming uninvited to your banquet, Grandma. It’s just that I’ve missed you so much.” The look in Hayley’s eyes didn’t seem sincere at all.

However, Harriet reassured her, “No worries. I forgot to inform you about it. Since it’s usually the same old relatives coming every year, I’m happy that you’ve come too.” After saying that, she instructed one of the maids, “Escort Miss Seymour to the garden for some tea.”

Hayley was overjoyed upon hearing that. Sure enough, Harriet didn’t drive her away, so she happily followed the maid to the garden.

As soon as Hayley left, Harriet let out a sigh of relief. She was aware of Hayley’s intentions, but the Presgrave Family could only accept one daughter-in-law. Therefore, no matter what Hayley did, it would be useless.

“From whom did Miss Seymour hear the news?” One of the female housekeepers on the side questioned in surprise. She was the one who had sent out the invitations, but she didn’t recall sending an invite to Hayley.

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just serve her since she’s already here!” said Harriet with a wave of a hand.

However, the housekeeper blamed herself. After all, she knew what Hayley’s identity was; she was merely a woman whom Young Master Elliot couldn’t get rid of.

“Should I inform Young Master Elliot?”

When Harriet recalled that Elliot would be bringing Anastasia to visit today, she was certain that Anastasia wouldn’t come if she knew that Hayley was here. She couldn’t help but shake her head and replied, “Forget it. Let’s tell them when they arrive!”

One of them was someone Harriet didn’t welcome, while the other was someone Harriet desperately wanted her to be here.

Between Hayley and Anastasia, it was obvious who had the upper hand.

Soon, Harriet’s daughter, son-in-law, as well as Nigel arrived.

Some relatives and friends had also arrived earlier, so the whole yard was packed with luxury cars. All the relatives of the Presgrave Family had gained a firm foothold in the political and business circles with the support of the Presgrave Family. The Presgraves were like a big tree, and there was an intricate network of relationships under the protection of said tree. Even Harriet’s brother was able to soar high in the political circle due to the family’s influence.

While sitting in the tea house in the garden, Hayley couldn’t help but feel a little nervous when she heard the lively atmosphere in the main hall. However, it wasn’t going to make her flinch or retreat. Looking down at the box of drugs in her bag, she smirked cynically.

Anastasia was going to lose her pride today in front of all the relatives of the Presgrave Family.

After picking up the cup of tea, she took a few sips. It tasted pretty bland although she had already taken some medication to revive her taste buds.

The doctors said that the surgery might cause long-term side effects, but for her beauty, Hayley could only endure it.

At that moment, a black Rolls-Royce entered the front yard. The man who came out of the car was Elliot while the woman that came out of the car was Anastasia.

He extended his hand to hold her, but she hid her hand shyly. “Let’s not hold hands.”

His deep gaze locked on her for a few seconds before realizing that she was just shy and didn’t want to show too much affection in front of her relatives.

“Let’s go, then!” Elliot understood her feelings.

As they walked past the front garden and into the hall, they saw three banquet tables in the living hall. All of the guests had arrived.

Once they entered the hall, Elliot started greeting the guests. As the most honorable child of the Presgrave Family, Elliot had been polite and thoughtful since young. Therefore, everyone adored him.

While Anastasia followed him around, she listened to him exchanging customary greetings with his relatives. It was also the first time she had seen him behaving like a well-mannered junior. Usually, he was aloof and unapproachable, making everyone surrender to him!

“Elliot, why don’t you introduce us to this beautiful lady beside you?” one of his aunts urged.

“This is Anastasia Tillman, my girlfriend,” Elliot introduced her naturally.

Anastasia couldn’t help but feel her cheeks heat up when she heard that. She had thought about this question before coming, but she still couldn’t avoid revealing her identity.

“What a beauty! Elliot has a good eye!”

“Of course, he does! Elliot has always been the most good-looking child to us. Naturally, he should go out with a beautiful woman.”

“I don’t agree!” Suddenly, a male voice sounded behind the lady.

Turning around, the lady couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the sight of Nigel. Nigel raised his chin and questioned, “Which part of me doesn’t win over Elliot? I was obviously the best looking when we were young.”

“You’re right. You’re the most handsome!” The lady quickly changed her words, eliciting some laughter among the crowd.

Even Anastasia was amused by their interaction. Based on Nigel’s looks, he was indeed not inferior to Elliot. However, in terms of his stance, Elliot was more domineering than he was.

“Anastasia, you should be the judge. Who is more good-looking between Elliot and me?”

Initially, Anastasia was just a spectator watching them. Now that Nigel had thrown the question at her, she could only cough awkwardly as she replied, “You.”

After saying that, Anastasia sensed a pair of eyes filled with resentment staring at her.

“Anastasia has good taste.” With that, Nigel reached out his hand to Anastasia, suggesting, “Come on, let’s go over there. I have something to tell you.”

However, the moment he finished his sentence, Elliot shot daggers at him. Nigel immediately sensed the deathly stare and realized that he couldn’t treat Anastasia casually anymore. He couldn’t even get involved with her personal affairs now that she belonged to someone else.

“What is it that you cannot talk in front of me?” Elliot glared at Nigel to prove his presence.

Anastasia covered her mouth while chuckling, but Nigel huffed while saying, “You petty man. Can’t I talk to your girlfriend for a little while?”

“No!” rejected Elliot coldly.

“Be the judge, Anastasia. He was the one who interrupted us when I tried to pursue you. I was kind enough to let you go, but look at how he’s treating me now!” Nigel started whining.

Anastasia laughed out loud at his antics. “I’m not meddling in your fight. You should solve it between yourselves.”

“Let’s go and greet Grandma.” Upon landing an arm on her waist, Elliot dragged Anastasia away from Nigel.

Since he was left without a choice, Nigel tagged along because he was bored. Everyone who attended the banquet today was mostly the seniors, and all the juniors didn’t manage to attend.

Currently, Harriet was sitting in the hall chatting away with the other old madams. When she saw Elliot and Anastasia walking up to her, her eyes were instantly filled with tenderness and affection.

“Come here, Anastasia. Take a seat,” she invited gently.

With that, Anastasia took the seat next to her. Harriet looked at her with guilt and apology. “Didn’t you bring Jared with you?”

“Jared went to my father’s place.”

“Oh! I quite like that child. He’s so adorable.” Whenever Harriet thought of the child, she immediately saw young Elliot in him.

Just then, the housekeeper requested to talk to Elliot outside.

“Young Master Elliot, I have something to tell you. Miss Hayley is here.”

Elliot’s face immediately darkened. “Who let her in?”

“Miss Hayley was the earliest to arrive, but I don’t know who informed her,” the housekeeper uttered helplessly.

There was a hint of coolness that flashed in Elliot’s eyes. Who was the one who obtained the information and relayed it to Hayley? There was only one person who knew about it, and that was his personal assistant, Daniel.

It seemed that Hayley even had the means to buy information from people around him.

“Where is she?” Elliot questioned indifferently.

“She’s at the tea house in the garden and hasn’t been invited to the hall yet. Do you want to see her?”

After glancing at Anastasia, who was busy chatting with his grandmother, he walked toward the tea house in the garden.

On this side, Hayley had been waiting to be invited to the main hall. However, it was Elliot who greeted her instead with a long face.

Hayley was in utter shock. Flustered, she almost broke the teacup in her hand. “How did you know I was here, Elliot?” Content is © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

Ever since he knew that Hayley was the cause of Anastasia’s misery back then, he didn’t have any feelings for her anymore.

“This is my family’s gathering. There’s no reason for you to attend.” Elliot stared at her coldly.

Hayley’s eyes immediately reddened. “Why can’t I come when Anastasia is here? You’re being too biased, Elliot.”

Elliot frowned slightly and retorted somewhat coldly, “To me, you’re incomparable to Anastasia. I have always wanted to make up to you only in the material aspect, and you should know that.”

Hayley sensed that Elliot had changed, and his attitude toward her had become extraordinarily cold. Did Anastasia tell him something?

“Elliot, why are you doing this to me? Did I do something wrong?” Hayley bit her red lips and showed a pitiful look.

“Is it your fault that Anastasia was harassed five years ago?” Elliot interrogated.

Hearing that, Hayley quivered. She shook her head fervently and denied, “It wasn’t me; it wasn’t me, Elliot. It was her stepsister who did it. When I wanted to stop her, it was too late. I regret it so much now, and I deserve Anastasia’s hatred.”

Hayley appeared to be helpless on the surface, but in reality, she hated Anastasia to her bones. Sure enough, Anastasia exposed what happened back then just to win Elliot’s heart.

Staring at Hayley’s face, Elliot could only see how ugly her cry was after she underwent plastic surgery. It made him extremely uncomfortable, and he didn’t believe in a single word she uttered.

Hayley knew that she looked beautiful when smiling, but she didn’t know how hideous she looked when crying.

“Do not step into the hall, but you may have lunch here before leaving,” Elliot warned in a low voice. He didn’t want Anastasia to know that she was here.

Hayley understood his intentions, so she panicked and said, “Elliot, you can’t do this to me.”

This time, Elliot was already at the door. He turned back and shot her a cold gaze, uttering, “From now on, I don’t want to see you again.”

This sentence was undoubtedly like a sharp sword stabbing into Hayley’s chest. She underwent surgery to look like the woman he liked, but instead, he told her that he didn’t want to see her again.

“Elliot…” Hayley stood up and chased after him, but she was stopped by two maids. “Please stay here, Miss Seymour.”

Hayley’s heart fell into an abyss at this moment. Elliot’s attitude showed her that no matter what she did, he only loved Anastasia.

In order to make Anastasia happy, he didn’t allow her to enter the hall even if she had already come all the way to Presgrave Residence. Anastasia would be the protagonist tonight, while she was going to suffer from humiliation all alone.

When she returned to the sofa, a strong feeling of resentment flashed in Hayley’s eyes. Anastasia being alive was her greatest pain.

In the main hall, Anastasia did not know that Hayley was also there. Harriet took her to a quiet lounge and explained the truth about how Elliot had been saved back then without holding back.

Back then, the situation was complicated, and it definitely gave her mother pressure to save the hostage. In Elliot’s case, however, she sacrificed herself and pounced on him to save him. That was her duty as a police officer, and she wasn’t forced by anyone.

“Anastasia, you may blame me if you’re upset, but don’t blame Elliot, okay? He was depressed and completely lost when he came back that day. He loves you very much, and he doesn’t want to lose you.”

Anastasia was moved to hear Harriet’s words. Hearing others tell her that Elliot loved her seemed to give her a sense of certainty as if he loved her wholeheartedly.

“Grandma, I’m sorry for believing in Riley’s words and misunderstanding you,” Anastasia apologized.

Harriet didn’t have any more comments about her stepson. All she wanted was for the younger generation to not be harmed by him again.

Elliot instructed the housekeeper to serve Hayley in the tea house and made sure that she left after having lunch.

Upon moving to the quiet lounge, he immediately softened when he saw the woman sitting on the sofa with his grandmother. There was now a touch of warmth in between his brows, and the coldness toward Hayley just now had completely disappeared.

Anastasia looked up at the man who was approaching, and a blush of shyness crept up her cheeks.

Harriet couldn’t help but smile upon seeing them. “Well, it’s time for me to go out and greet the guests now. I’ll let Elliot keep you company in here.”

After speaking, Harriet left the room. Elliot sat beside her naturally, staring at her as if he could never have enough of the woman.

Anastasia suddenly laughed, “Can you stop staring?”

“Didn’t you say that Nigel’s more handsome than me?” Elliot wanted to settle this matter with her privately.

Seeing him like that, Anastasia burst out laughing. “What? Are you jealous?”

As she laughed, Elliot’s long arms stretched out and wrapped around her waist, pulling her down with him until they were both lying on the sofa. Anastasia was on top of him, staring down at his face that was too close for comfort.

A perfectly flawless face was reflected in her eyes.

“Take a good look. Is my face not up to your standards?” Elliot intentionally described himself pitifully.

In response, Anastasia pursed her lips and smiled. Why was he so competitive? Why did he insist on comparing himself to Nigel in terms of appearance?

He was definitely more childish than her son.

“You’re handsome. In fact, you’re the most handsome guy to me.” Anastasia used the same trick she had coaxed her son on him.

Fortunately, it seemed that the trick worked even better on him. Elliot curved his thin lips, asking, “Really?”

“Yeah! It’s true. In terms of appearance, my son comes first, you are second, and Nigel is in third place,” Anastasia answered him in all seriousness. He should be satisfied with her answer by now!

Elliot knew that it was too difficult to win over Jared and take down the first place, so he was satisfied with the final outcome.

Only then did Anastasia realize that she was still lying in his arms, and she could feel the heat radiating from him through his clothes. The warmth of his skin felt a little too hot for her to bear, so she immediately struggled to get up.

However, Elliot’s long arms were lazily draped around her waist, and a malicious smile crept on his face.

“Elliot, let me go,” Anastasia complained softly.

“If you don’t show me your love, I won’t let go,” said Elliot with a smirk.

“What do you mean? You’re really unreasonable sometimes.” Anastasia had enough of him. How could he just say things like that out of plain air?

“It’s either you kiss me, or I kiss you. Pick one.”

Did it make a difference? Wasn’t she going to be kissed in the end? What a canny businessman he was.

“Neither. I want to go out to eat something delicious.” After Anastasia finished speaking, she got up forcibly.

Elliot sat up with her, but in the next second, the two fell on the sofa once again. This time, Anastasia was below Elliot.

“You…” Anastasia thought Elliot was a nasty man.

“I won’t give up until I achieve my goal,” said Elliot before kissing her red lips.

All of sudden, Anastasia felt as if a current was running through her body. It felt like she was going crazy. Elliot really liked to mess around with her regardless of the occasion.

However, there was no doubt that the kiss was exciting and sweet. As the sunlight shone onto the sofa, Anastasia was surrounded by his breath, indulging in his gentle and delicate kiss. Elliot had a special ability; whenever he looked at Anastasia or kissed her, it was as if his eyes were dripping with honey. He looked at her as if she meant the world to him.

Upon hearing footsteps coming from outside the window, Anastasia shoved him hard, causing him to fall to the ground.

With a loud thud, Elliot’s head hit the ground harshly.

“Oh, dear! Elliot, are you alright?” Anastasia sat up. She felt bad for Elliot, who was currently lying on the ground.

How hard did she push him just now? How bad did it hurt when his head hit the ground?

Although there was a layer of carpet, there was indeed a loud thud just now.

Elliot’s eyes were full of grievances. “Are you trying to murder your husband?”

Seeing that he was lying on the floor and unable to get up, she reached out to pull him while apologizing, “Sorry. I thought your Grandma would come in and see us.”

Elliot now knew what would happen to him if he angered her after marriage. He would face the fate of being kicked down from the bed.

Borrowing the strength of her pull, Elliot pushed her onto the sofa once again. “I won’t forgive you if you don’t kiss me first.”

Anastasia took the initiative now and kissed him on the cheek. “Happy?”

“On the lips,” Elliot reminded.

Anastasia rolled her eyes and muttered, “You’re so bossy.”

“Don’t roll your eyes at me. That’s rude,” reminded Elliot once again.

Defying him, Anastasia rolled her eyes before uttering proudly, “We’re not officially in a relationship yet, anyway. You still have a chance to turn back.”

Elliot didn’t know what to do with her. Just then, Anastasia hugged his neck and planted a kiss on his thin lips. “All peachy? I’ll go eat now.”

With that, she smoothed her clothes and went out.

Behind her, the man still looked majestic despite sitting on the carpet, and there was a hint of mischief on his handsome face.

In another tea room at the end of the corridor, even though Hayley enjoyed the treatment as a guest and had a table full of food laid out before her, she was suffering inside.

Her existence here was like a joke. The servants looked like they respected her on the outside, but she knew that they were laughing at her behind her back!

She hated Elliot for treating her like that, but she hated Anastasia even more; Anastasia must have whispered horrible things about her in Elliot’s ears, turning her into a vicious woman.

Hayley took a deep breath, the hatred apparent in her eyes as a sneer crept onto her lips. She got up and walked out of the room, but a servant immediately reached out and stopped her. “Miss Seymour, Young Master Elliot insists that you have your meal here.”

“Can’t I go to the bathroom?” Hayley glared coldly at her, then strode toward a certain place. When she was here last time, she had the opportunity to tour the Presgrave Residence.

She remembered faintly that Harriet’s medicine was kept in a specialized room on the first floor. She thought that since the Presgrave Residence housed such a large family, they probably wouldn’t install CCTVs inside their house. This would make her operation much easier.

Just as expected, she didn’t spot any CCTVs around her. When she passed by the garden, she heard laughter coming from the main hall. It filled her heart with envy, for Anastasia was probably there as well.

Hayley noticed that the servant was following her. Annoyance flashed across the depths of her eyes as she instantly walked further into the garden. The servant called after her, “Miss Seymour, please don’t run around. That’s not where the bathroom is.”

Soon, Hayley managed to throw off the servant and emerged from another corridor. Now, all the servants were gathered at the main hall to serve the guests, so the huge Presgrave Residence looked especially empty.

A vicious feeling rose up in Hayley’s heart. Even if Harriet had no ill intentions toward her, she still hated that old woman. She hated how Harriet favored Anastasia over her without helping her get together with Elliot.

As such, Hayley wouldn’t mind Harriet dying. She just wanted Anastasia to take the blame.

Finally, Hayley found the storeroom on the first floor. As expected, she walked briskly over and found that it was unlocked. She opened the door and saw a few freezers inside, in addition to a row of shelves. However, Harriet’s usual medication was placed on a table, and a few medicine bottles were placed separately in a small basket. Hayley poured them out and studied them briefly before putting two similar types of pills inside.

The pills were sleeping medications and also heart medications with complicated ingredients. If consumed over a long period of time, a person of Harriet’s age would experience problems soon enough.

After swapping out the pills, Hayley immediately left the scene.

Hayley passed by the garden once again, and when she saw the bustling on the other side, she suddenly felt the urge to go over as well. Didn’t Elliot ban her from meeting Anastasia?

In that case, it was all the more reason for her to let Anastasia know that she was here.

Hayley went closer to the main hall on purpose. When she saw two well-dressed ladies in front of her, she suddenly put a hand her forehead and fell onto the floor.

“Oh! Are you alright, miss?” Just as expected, one of the ladies rushed over to her.

Hayley fainted right away, and she heard another lady say, “I’ll go get help.”

At the table, Anastasia was sampling the desserts when she heard a lady rush in, saying, “Come quick! Someone just fainted. Hurry up and send her to the hospital!”

Elliot had just excused himself to answer a call, and Anastasia was sitting next to Nigel. When they heard the shouts, Nigel was the first to get up. Anastasia followed him out.

Nigel looked at Hayley and asked, a little stunned, “Who even is she?!”

“Just ignore that and send her to the hospital right away,” Nigel’s mother urged.

When Anastasia saw Hayley lying on the floor, she was instantly shocked. She didn’t expect that Hayley would be here as well. Just then, someone shouted, “She’s waking up.”

Hayley, who was in Nigel’s arms at the time, suddenly opened her eyes. Nigel immediately put her down. Just then, a servant hastily walked over. “Miss Seymour, why are you here? I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“What’s the matter with this Miss Seymour?” Brenda asked.

“Y-Young Master Elliot told us to let Miss Seymour dine in the side hall,” the servant replied.

Anastasia’s gaze met Hayley’s, and the hatred in Hayley’s eyes was directed right at her. Anastasia understood right away that Hayley had attended as well, but Elliot had arranged a separate dining area for her.

Hayley definitely didn’t come on official invitation; she had come of her own accord.

“You—” Nigel looked at Hayley, then back at Anastasia. He felt as if he had just met the bootleg version of Anastasia, and traces of Hayley’s plastic surgery were visible in the sunlight.

“Miss Seymour, I’ll get a car ready to send you back after the meal.” The housekeeper appeared and gestured toward Hayley. “This way, please.”

“I’ll inform Old Madam Presgrave first,” Hayley told the housekeeper.

“Sorry, but Young Master Elliot has asked me to take you home right away.” The housekeeper didn’t want Hayley to affect the other guests.

Hayley was a little reluctant, but at that moment, the female guests who gathered around her were all examining her in surprise. She could only say, “Fine, I’ll leave. However, can I have a word with my friend first?”

With that, she pointed at Anastasia.

Anastasia instantly declined in disdain. “There’s nothing to say between us.”

“Anastasia, when you were assaulted five years ago, you said that I was the one who did it. Why did you tell Elliot that I was the one behind it? Since when did I order a host to sleep with you, causing you to give birth to a son as a result?” Hayley said loudly.

At the side, Nigel was so furious that he wanted to cover her mouth. Similarly, Anastasia turned red in the face out of anger. Hayley was mentioning this incident in front of all the guests on purpose.

“Hayley, that’s enough messing around.” Just then, Elliot walked over to them from somewhere, his expression dark.

Startled, Hayley trembled slightly, but she raised her voice to retort, “Did I say anything wrong? Elliot, I don’t want you to misunderstand. I really didn’t harm her.”

Anastasia clenched her fists tightly as she shivered in fury. Even up until now, Hayley kept crossing the line.

How could someone twist the truth to this extent?

Elliot’s expression was unimaginably dark. Hayley was taking the opportunity to tell all the Presgraves’ relatives about that incident, and she clearly wanted to ruin Anastasia’s reputation.

“Shut up, Hayley.” Elliot gave her a warning glare.

Hayley’s eyes immediately went red, and she accused in tears, “Elliot, I gave you my first time five years ago to cure you, and you bullied me to no end. I even miscarried once for you. Is this how you should treat me?”

Everyone present stared at Elliot in shock, for they couldn’t believe he did something like that. They had no idea if they should blame this most noble young master of the Presgraves.

Anastasia’s face turned pale in an instant as she looked at Hayley. She actually miscarried once for Elliot’s sake?

Harriet had just arrived on the scene and managed to catch Hayley’s act. She said to Hayley, “Miss Seymour, I know that Elliot had mistreated you before, and he also committed some mistakes. However, Elliot has been looking for you for the past five years so he could make it up to you. Now, we’re doing our best to compensate you for the incident five years ago. Ever since we found you, have the Presgraves ever mistreated you?”

Hayley’s true desire wasn’t any material object, for she actually wanted to be Elliot’s wife. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Grandma, I can’t even find a man to marry now. I want to be Elliot’s wife. I want to marry him.”

Hayley exposed her ambitions without restraint. She looked toward Elliot with a meaningful gaze. “Elliot, I don’t blame you for what you did to me that night. I just want to stay by your side and be with you.”

“You can’t force love, Hayley. I will never take you as my wife,” Elliot rejected coldly.

“Miss Seymour, I know Elliot has mistreated you before, but he also compensated you in every way he could. You should know where the line is drawn.” Brenda stepped forward, not wishing for her mother to be troubled and intending to protect her own nephew.

Hayley looked at the well-dressed lady, whose eyes glared in warning toward her. She had done and said everything she planned to do and say today, and she didn’t want it to spiral into chaos either. She pitifully nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry, Grandma. I shouldn’t have disturbed your banquet. I’m so sorry, and I’ll be leaving now.”

The housekeeper immediately sent for someone to take Hayley home. Hayley kept looking back at Elliot as she left, her love and adoration obvious to all.

However, under the sunlight, Elliot’s entire body emanated a chill. No matter how loving Hayley’s gaze was, it could not remove the coldness in him.

While no one was looking, Anastasia quietly left the crowd. She walked toward a deserted garden, her thoughts occupied with the notion that Hayley had undergone abortion for Elliot’s sake.

This was further proof of the incident between Elliot and Hayley that night. It reminded her again of this, and she felt unbearably sad.

Brenda helped her mother back inside to rest. The other relatives and friends also understood the Presgraves’ situation, so they didn’t make any comments on it. The Presgrave Family was powerful exactly because its members were united.

Just then, Harriet felt some discomfort in her chest. She told the housekeeper, “Jodie, fetch my medicine.”

“Please calm down, Old Madam Presgrave. Do not heed to Miss Seymour’s words.”

“She miscarried a child for Elliot’s sake! A child of the Presgraves!” Harriet said regretfully.

“Mom, don’t think like that. It’d be real trouble if Elliot had a child with that girl.” Brenda was aware. After all, someone with a personality like Hayley’s did not deserve to marry into the Presgrave Family.

Just then, the housekeeper brought the medicine. She also gave Harriet some water to take the pills with. After Harriet had taken the medicine, she sighed. “No matter what, the right wife for Elliot can only be Anastasia.”

“Yes! I also hope Miss Tillman will marry Elliot.” Brenda actually preferred Anastasia too. Anastasia had saved her son’s life, after all.

When Elliot found Anastasia, she was sitting on a swing in the garden. She was in a daze as she sat on the swing, and when the wind lifted her hair, it was as if her hair was also glowing under the sunlight. She looked like a princess heavy with worry.

Elliot strode over in light steps and walked up to her. Then, he began pushing the swing into motion.

Anastasia let him continue pushing before she asked, “When did you find out that Hayley miscarried for you before?”

“Last time, when she sent you a photo,” Elliot answered truthfully.

He hadn’t declined when Hayley clung onto him and asked him for a photo!

“Why didn’t you let her into the main hall to eat today?” Anastasia asked.

“I didn’t want you to see her and upset your mood,” he replied.

“I’ve shamed you in front of your family, though,” Anastasia said bitterly. After all, she was assuming the role of his girlfriend today.

Elliot let the swing stop, then bent down and looked at her in all earnestness. “Anastasia, I don’t care what other people think of you. I only know that in my heart, you have always been perfect.”

Anastasia looked at him, her heart aching for him,

“Do you regret that incident with Hayley five years ago?” Anastasia asked.

Elliot nodded. He couldn’t find any words to express the regret in his heart.

Just then, a servant came rushing along the garden path. “Young Master Elliot, come quick. Old Madam Pregrave has fainted.”

Elliot and Anastasia instantly got to their feet in shock. They exchanged glances and strode hurriedly toward the main hall.

Nigel had carried Harriet back to her room and placed her down. Harriet’s face was pale, and her eyes were tightly closed. She was barely conscious.

“Why did Grandma faint all of a sudden?” Elliot hastily walked into the room.

“She said she was feeling uncomfortable in her chest, and she asked for some medicine to ease the discomfort. Within ten minutes of her taking the pills, she suddenly fainted on the floor.” The

housekeeper was extremely anxious as well.

“Are those pills the ones Grandma usually takes?”

“Yes! They’re the heart pills she always takes.”

“Elliot, hurry up and send her to the hospital.” Brenda was so anxious that her eyes were turning red.

Anastasia was deeply worried too. Elliot carried the unconscious Harriet and walked out the door, whereas Brenda and Jonathan left along with him. Nigel helped Anastasia up and said, “You can go in my car.”

In a private hospital which Presgrave Group had invested in, Harriet was immediately sent to the emergency unit.

In the car, Nigel was anxious as well. “My grandmother’s health has always been in the pink, so how could she just faint like that? Was it too shocking for her? Also, who’s that Hayley person just now?”

After Anastasia told him about Hayley and Elliot, Nigel was stunned. He never thought that something like that had happened to his cousin five years ago.

“There’s definitely more to this Hayley person.” Nigel hated that sort of woman at first glance.

“Hayley wants to be Mrs. Presgrave.”

“She had plastic surgery too, didn’t she? She’s trying to look like you.” Nigel disliked her even more.

Anastasia nodded. Any mention of Hayley was like a heavy rock upon her heart.

By the time Anastasia and Nigel arrived at the hospital, Harriet had been in the emergency unit for more than ten minutes.

Anastasia saw Elliot standing in the corridor, his expression tense and his eyes filled with worry. At the side, Brenda also leaned against her husband with her fists clenched tightly.

“Dad, Mom, did the doctor say anything?”

“No, not yet.” Jonathan shook his head.

Anastasia walked over to Elliot. She wanted to comfort him, but she didn’t know what to say. Harriet didn’t look too good just now. What would he do if something happened to Harriet?

“I’m fine,” said Elliot, comforting her instead.

Anastasia patted him on the shoulder and accompanied him as they waited for the results.

Suddenly, the door opened, and the doctor emerged while asking, “Young Master Elliot, we found Old Madam Presgrave’s heartbeat unusual just now, and it seemed as though she had taken the wrong medication. Are you sure that she had taken heart pills that are easy on her?”

“What’s the situation with my grandma?”

“We cleansed her stomach just now, and we’re trying to lower her blood pressure. However, this may be an arduous experience for her.”

Hearing that, everyone present felt their heart ache for her. Anastasia noticed Elliot’s tightly-clenched fists, and she pitied him as well.

“We’ll do our best so that she can regain consciousness. Young Master Elliot, can you bring me the pills Old Madam Presgrave usually takes at home? I want to examine them.”

Elliot nodded. When the doctor closed the door again, Elliot called up the housekeeper and asked her to deliver the medicine.

“Mom is at an old age now, but she still has to suffer like this. I feel so sorry for her,” Brenda said as she clutched at her chest.

“Even normal people can’t bear all this suffering. Was there something wrong with the medication?” Jonathan frowned.

Anastasia intuitively thought of someone. Hayley had appeared at the Presgrave Residence today, and she was an evil and scheming woman. Could she be involved in this?

Nonetheless, Anastasia kept this guess to herself. After all, she couldn’t say anything without proof.

After more than two hours in the emergency unit, Harriet was moved to the ward. Within half a day, she seemed to have gained a few more years, and she looked considerably weaker.

Just then, the housekeeper had also brought the medication, which was promptly sent to the doctor for examination.

Anastasia looked at the time and found that it was almost 4.00PM. She called up her father and asked him to take her son back to her home and stay the night there, and she would go back as soon as Harriet woke up.

Francis told her not to worry, and she could wait as long as she wanted at the hospital until Harriet regained consciousness.

Meanwhile, Elliot stationed himself in the doctor’s office as he watched the doctor study every bottle of medicine. He wanted to know the main reason his grandmother had fainted.

Just as the doctor poured out a bottle of pills, he looked at the shape and size of the pills on the paper, and he could immediately spot the problem.

“This isn’t heart medication. Has there been a mix-up?”

The housekeeper, who was standing at the side, also came closer to look. She exclaimed, “When did the pills get so large? Even the marks don’t look like the pills Old Madam Presgrave usually takes.”

“I don’t think these are heart pills either. I’ll have someone run a thorough analysis to determine its ingredients.”

Elliot looked at the housekeeper. “Jodie, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know either, Young Master Elliot. The pills I gave Old Madam Presgrave yesterday were still the normal size, but how did they turn bigger today?” The housekeeper also had no idea what was going on.

“Someone probably swapped the contents.” With that, the doctor took another bottle and poured the pills onto a piece of paper to examine them. “These are sleeping pills, but there’s something wrong with them too. Even though they look more or less alike, these pills contain 6 times the contents of the pills I usually prescribe to Old Madam Presgrave. If she takes these pills, her life would be at risk.”

Elliot’s expression changed. It was obvious that someone had swapped his grandma’s pills, but who would do such a vicious thing?

The housekeeper was also shocked to the core. “Oh my goodness! Who’s trying to kill her? How dare they meddle with her usual medication!”

“You’d better find out as soon as possible.” The doctor looked at Elliot. “Young Master Elliot, with Old Madam Presgrave’s age, her medications must not have the slightest bit of error.”

Rage was already obvious on Elliot’s face, and there was a cold murderous look in his eyes.

Who dared to meddle with his grandma’s medication?

No matter who it was, when the culprit was uncovered, he would make them pay dearly.

“Fortunately, she has quite a strong resistance to medicine, and it caused such a reaction. This is how we were able to determine early on that someone had meddled with her medication.”

“Young Master Elliot, I really can’t figure out who would do such a thing. All the servants in the Presgrave Residence love and respect Old Madam Presgrave. She’s usually very caring toward us, and we are all grateful to her. Who would plot against her?”

“When did you think the pills were swapped? Were the pills normal yesterday?”

The housekeeper nodded. “Yes, the pills were still normal yesterday, and they were fine this morning. The pills only seemed different this afternoon.”

The housekeeper was only a little more than 40 years old. She had no problems with her eyesight, and her memory was quite decent as well.

If none of the servants in the Presgrave Residence would do such a thing, then someone outside of the house might have done it. Even though many relatives and friends visited today, they were all people the Pregraves were on good terms with.

“Could it be Miss Seymour? She might hate you for not letting her dine in the main hall, and that may be why she plotted against Old Madam Presgrave,” the housekeeper reminded.

A cold light instantly gleamed in Elliot’s eyes. Indeed, Hayley was the most probable culprit.

“I asked you to send people to keep an eye on her, didn’t I?”

“It was lunch time, and we were short staffed. I only sent one person to watch her, but she probably couldn’t be tracked throughout the entire process. She must have found an opportunity to slip into the medicine room.”

“The CCTV! Young Master Elliot, we have CCTV in the medicine room.” The housekeeper suddenly remembered. A cat had sneaked into the medicine room last time, but she thought that a new servant had broken something instead. In the end, when they found out the truth, Harriet even scolded her for it, so she installed CCTV in the medicine room after that.

“In order to keep better watch over the medicine room, I installed the CCTV there of my own accord. I feared that something was wrong with the medicine.” With that, the housekeeper took out her phone. The CCTV was linked to an app on her phone.

“Show me the recording,” Elliot ordered through gritted teeth. He was already extremely furious at this point.

The housekeeper navigated the app and found the folder where the recordings were stored. They were saved in chunks, so she had to look through the recordings chronologically. Soon, she found the time when Hayley entered the room. Then, Elliot took her phone and sat on a couch nearby, playing the video in fast forward. Finally, sounds could be heard in the quiet medicine room at 12.45PM.

It was the sound of a door opening. Immediately after that, a figure walked in. Who else could it be but Hayley?

She looked around her for a while, then got to work swapping the contents of the medicine bottles. Her evil act was caught right on camera.

“Just as expected, it’s Hayley. I can’t believe she could get so evil at such a young age. Hasn’t Old Madam Presgrave treated her well enough?” The housekeeper had never seen such a vicious woman.

Elliot watched the entire process of her swapping out the medicine, which lasted a few minutes. His handsome face was tense, and a fearsome and chilly aura emanated from him.

He already thought that she was incredibly evil when she first harmed Anastasia all those years ago. He didn’t expect her to endanger his grandma’s life as well.

Hayley had no idea that her every action was being recorded. When she turned around, she even looked at the medicine with a vicious smile on her face. She smiled gleefully for a few seconds before finally leaving.

The housekeeper was almost driven mad by her anger. Hayley obviously had the intention of harming people, and she couldn’t believe that Hayley’s heart could be so ugly beneath the pretty exterior.

“Send me a copy of the video.” Elliot passed the phone back to the housekeeper, then asked the doctor, “How’s my grandma’s condition right now?”

“She’s doing well, and her blood pressure has been regulated. She can stay in the hospital, and we’ll check on her for a while. Fortunately, the medicine wasn’t completely absorbed into her body.”

Elliot nodded, then said to the housekeeper, “Don’t tell my grandma about this yet. I don’t want her to be affected.”

“Understood, Young Master Elliot. Please don’t let Hayley off the hook. She’s too evil.” The housekeeper was extremely furious as well. If Hayley wasn’t found out, she might be the one to take the blame. She couldn’t imagine what would happen to her then.

Also, Harriet was such a kind person, so if the old woman passed away just like that, she would live all the days of her life in regret.

“I won’t let her off so easily,” Elliot said through gritted teeth. Hayley’s good days were over.

Elliot didn’t get back at Hayley right away. For now, he just wanted to wait until Harriet woke up, and he would deal with this matter when her condition had stabilized.

However, he still had one more person to deal with. He reached out and dialed Rey’s number. “Get Daniel to take care of Hayley tonight, and keep a close eye on him throughout the whole process. I want to know his relationship with Hayley.”

“Understood!” Rey sensed that something was about to happen, so he did exactly as he was told.

Meanwhile, Hayley didn’t know anything about Harriet being hospitalized. After she was sent back to the villa, she had a round of drinks and got completely drunk. After her drinking session, she received a call from Daniel.

“President Presgrave has asked me to come and take care of you. Are you okay, Miss Seymour?” Daniel asked over the phone.

“Come here, Danny. I need you.” At that moment, Hayley only wanted a man to depend on.

“I’ll be right there.” Since it was Elliot’s orders, Daniel had a valid reason to come and take care of Hayley.

Daniel arrived after a short while. When he saw Hayley lying in the pile of wine bottles, he went over and helped her up. “Miss Seymour, you’re drunk.”

“Danny, am I really that bad-looking? Am I really inferior to Anastasia?”

Daniel could only coax her as he said, “No, you’re very beautiful too.”

“How come Elliot only has eyes for Anastasia, though? What about me? I put in so much effort to look like her, but Elliot didn’t even spare me a look. He had no idea how scared I was when I was on the operating table. Even my sense of taste has gone wrong, but he still doesn’t like me.” Hayley sobbed into Daniel’s arms.

This scene was caught on a camera not far away, for Rey had sent people to keep an eye on them. Hayley and Daniel were unaware of all this as they talked in the room.

“Danny, carry me upstairs.” Hayley’s eyes were filled with a pleading look. She needed a man right now.

Daniel looked at Hayley. Even though Hayley had altered her appearance, Daniel still loved her. After all, they had been intimate on a few occasions before.

Daniel carried Hayley upstairs, and all this was recorded and sent to Elliot’s phone. As Elliot watched Hayley mingle with his assistant, there was only disgust in his heart.

Elliot was now sitting on a couch in the lounge. Anastasia had fetched a glass of water for him, so Elliot turned off his phone and accepted it.

Anastasia could see that Elliot wasn’t in a good mood. He seemed worried, and he was also terribly furious.