Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 2013

For Willow, it wasn’t just a job, but her way of contributing to the country’s cultural heritage. How could she be absent?

“Alright. I’m leaving right away,” she answered.

“We’ll be waiting. Time is of the essence. We received confidential information that the artifact smugglers have already sent out their people.”

“Understood. See you then,” Willow replied.

After hanging up the phone, Willow went to talk to her parents about this. She had brought this up with them before, so Elliot and Anastasia didn’t stop her from doing what she wanted to do.

“However, there’s one rule you must abide by. You must let the bodyguards stay by your side at all times to protect you.”

“Got it, Dad! I’ll be sure to keep myself safe.” Willow nodded earnestly.

Elliot assigned two female bodyguards to stay with Willow at all times and arranged for six additional male bodyguards who would hang around in the vicinity to protect her. He was going to keep an eye on his daughter’s every move too and was ready to rush over immediately if there was any danger.

Willow was worried that the smugglers would succeed in finding and looting the cultural relics before they got there, so she couldn’t afford to waste any more time. Although she also wanted to spend more time with her parents and couldn’t bear to part with Jasper while he was still in the country, she had to set those feelings aside for work.

Before leaving, Willow sent a text to Jasper. ‘I’m leaving for work. Let’s meet up when I come back.’

At this moment, Jasper was resting in a safe house. Due to his mission, he hadn’t had any proper sleep in almost three days.

However, when he heard his phone beeping, he immediately opened his eyes, picked up his phone, and sat up. He saw the text from Willow.

‘Where are you going?’ Jasper texted back.

‘I’m heading to the coastal area along the border between Yelina and Koska. My team and I are heading out on a mission to protect cultural artifacts. I’m on my way to the airport now. See you!’

‘See you.’ After sending the text, he swiftly got up and started working on his laptop, but he wasn’t doing official work for the organization. It was a private matter.

Soon, he had hacked into the database of the Bureau of International Cultural Heritage where Willow worked, and retrieved information regarding Willow’s assignment. There was a parchment scroll which was the agreement regarding the ownership of the cultural artifacts’ protection rights, and Willow’s signature was on it.

So… it was Willow who initiated the cultural artifacts protection operation. I underestimated the nature of her work. Despite being a young woman, she actually wields a lot of power at work. Her work is very meaningful too.

Jasper dialed his uncle’s private number.

“Hello?”

“Uncle, I need you to do me a favor.”

“You’re actually asking me for a favor? Go ahead and tell me what you need!” This was a first for Antoine Wyatt.

“I want to join the Bureau of International Cultural Heritage and complete a private mission. Arrange an identity for me—one with authority.”

“What? Have you started taking on private jobs now? Did you run out of money? Have you used up the billions your parents left you?” Antoine asked incredulously.

“No! I’m just protecting someone.”

“Who? Is it a man or a woman?”

“Just send me the details before 3.00PM. I’m hanging up now, Uncle.”

“You brat. Is this the attitude you take when you’re asking someone else for help?” NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Jasper ended the call before Antoine could carry on complaining. Alas, Antoine’s words had stirred up the secret that Jasper buried deep within him.

Twenty years ago, a tragedy occurred in this very city. Carl Wyatt, the founder of a company worth billions, and his wife were both murdered by their enemies. Their only son miraculously survived, but he disappeared and so did the billions the family left behind.

Twenty years later, a similar tragedy was reported in a foreign newspaper. Three wealthy men had died at a party on a yacht. The police released the photos which showed that the three had died horrific deaths. It looked as if they had been brutally interrogated before being executed.

That had been Jasper’s first mission after leaving the special forces. He personally avenged his parents’ death. He had only been 21 years old at the time and the organization detained him for two years because of his actions. In the end, his uncle rescued him, and after an intensive selection process, he was selected to join the special operations unit. For five years, he excelled at his job and none of his missions ended in failure, and his stellar record led to him becoming a team leader.