Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 126: The One You Like?

After the meeting, when Ryder Bell was leaving with Julian Ford, he couldn’t resist the burning urge for gossip and asked, "Are you really in a relationship?"

Julian Ford: "Yeah."

Ryder Bell: "Someone you like?"

Julian Ford paused for a moment, glanced at him, "Yeah."

Ryder Bell: "!!!"

Julian Ford was utterly unmoved by Ryder Bell’s shock.

But Ryder Bell couldn’t sit still, "No way, this time I have to go back to the country with you. I’m way too curious. Who on earth could make you fall for them—oh, wait—who could actually put up with your temperament? She must be some kind of legend."

Julian Ford didn’t bother to reply, lowering his head to check his phone.

After Scarlett Shaw sent Julian Ford that message, she knew the chances were slim, but she still held onto a little hope and nervous anticipation.

When you’re dating, who doesn’t want their boyfriend to say something sweet to them?

But clearly, Julian Ford isn’t the average boyfriend.

He replied in his usual brief and to-the-point way—with a single, decisive "Yeah."

Scarlett Shaw was speechless, but what could she do?

She’d chosen her boyfriend, and was absolutely hooked on him. What were the options?

Still, after being with Julian Ford for this long, Scarlett had a pretty good read on his personality. She didn’t expect him to be cheesy with his words, but still sent another message:

-Will you ever seriously miss me?

The reply came quickly.

Once again, simple, with that unmistakably Julian style:

-Yes. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Julian Ford’s words might not be pleasant, and they could be cold, but he had almost never brushed her off.

Even if it was only a single word, Scarlett knew he was honestly answering her.

The phone in her palm suddenly felt hot and burning.

It’s been less than a week since she officially started dating Julian Ford, and Scarlett had suddenly realized: this man’s heart, maybe it’s not cold after all. Otherwise, why would it make her feel this gentle, warm current flowing at the bottom of her heart like a stream?

...

This time Julian Ford was abroad, and he really was busy—he hardly managed more than a few words in calls with Scarlett.

Still, although he didn’t talk much and his tone was cool and not exactly passionate, he made sure to keep Scarlett updated on his whereabouts every day.

It was almost like he had a built-in habit of reporting in to his girlfriend.

A few days after the Spring Festival holiday, Scarlett picked up some part-time jobs; one of them was at night, so she couldn’t check her phone. When she finally finished, she saw she’d missed a call from Julian Ford.

She immediately dialed back and, once connected, explained briefly.

Julian Ford on the other end was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Short on cash lately?"

Scarlett Shaw: "I’m fine, but I mean, I’ve got free time—making more money never hurts."

Julian didn’t say much in response.

But the next day, when Scarlett went back to work, the Veridian GM handed out reopening bonuses to their investment team—and Scarlett’s phone got a much, much bigger red packet from her own boyfriend.

Scarlett silently counted the zeros at the end of the number.

Holy shit, she could pay off all her debts with this.

If she could only describe her feelings in one sentence, it’d be: Excited heart, trembling hands.

After all, she was a realist.

Who wouldn’t love suddenly seeing a bunch more zeros in their bank account balance?

Scarlett messaged Julian Ford: Why did you send me so much money?

The city where Julian Ford was on his trip had a ten-hour time difference from home.

He saw the message just after coming out of the shower and replied: Treat it as a New Year’s gift.

Scarlett replied politely: That’s too much of a gift, I can’t really accept it.

Julian Ford: Then send it back.

Scarlett: ...

Sitting at her desk, Scarlett digested Julian’s ruthless five words for a while. She hesitated, half thinking she might actually return the money, but then Julian sent another message: If you can’t bear to send it back, then prepare a good return gift.

Scarlett: Why do I suddenly feel like I’m only dating you for your money?

Julian Ford: Isn’t that one of the reasons?

Scarlett: ...

Truth be told, Scarlett genuinely liked Julian Ford.

But someone like Julian Ford, standing at the top of the pyramid, his wealth, status, looks—they’re all part of his label, part of who he is. Inevitably, that sparks a little admiration.

Scarlett didn’t reply again.

She felt faintly ashamed at her own shallowness.

But thankfully, Julian Ford didn’t seem to care about her tiny bit of vanity. He understood people way better than she did. In this world, there’s really no such thing as an affection born out of pure love for only who a person is, and nothing else.

Scarlett had just finished chatting with Julian Ford when Skyler Miller called her to the office.

"Scarlett, this year’s key clients in Cloud Harbor City, you’ll be in charge." Skyler said. "I won’t go with you this time, try it out on your own first. If you run into problems, talk to me—don’t carry it all by yourself."

Scarlett nodded, agreeing.

"And Cloud Harbor has a business banquet in a couple of days. Get ready and head out tomorrow."

After speaking, as if remembering something, Skyler smiled, "Oh, by the way, how was your New Year’s?"

Scarlett’s mind involuntarily jumped to Julian Ford. Her ears warmed a bit. "Pretty good."

"I thought so." Skyler propped her chin on one hand, smiling slyly, "You looked absolutely glowing when you came in today, great complexion—don’t tell me you picked up a boyfriend over the holiday?"

She was still keeping tabs on that thing between Scarlett and Aaron Carson.

Scarlett recalled telling Julian Ford she wanted to keep things quiet at work, and how he’d looked none too pleased about it, so she didn’t dare deny it outright—just mumbled vaguely:

"It’s just the beginning, nothing’s official yet."

And besides, who knows if that "beginning" is ever going to get anywhere.

Skyler heard that and guessed Scarlett either felt shy or didn’t want to reveal an office romance.

So she didn’t push, only smiling, "Then keep checking him out, bring him by to meet me sometime when you get a chance, I’ll buy you both dinner."

Scarlett: "..."

Back at her desk after leaving Skyler’s office, Scarlett glanced at WhatsApp and saw Julian Ford had messaged again.

Sent ten minutes ago, saying his flight was tomorrow night and he’d arrive in Capitoline the day after.

Scarlett froze a little.

Her own Cloud Harbor work trip was also tomorrow.

And it wouldn’t be short, about a week.

Julian Ford’s trip had lasted nearly a week already, so adding it all up, they wouldn’t see each other for about half a month.

Even Scarlett herself hadn’t realized, but the moment she put this together, a heavy wave of disappointment crashed over her.

For a moment, alarm bells rang in her mind.

Scarlett’s someone who’s honest about her feelings.

She’s never denied how much she likes Julian Ford.

But just like Julian Ford himself said, there’s no way for her and him to end up together—and Scarlett knew this even more clearly than he did. So even though she liked him, she’d always kept a tight rein on how much.

But ever since she really started dating him, all her "restraint" had gone out the window.

Stuff she used to take for granted now felt strange, even hard to put up with.

Scarlett left Julian Ford a message, telling him about the work trip.

Julian’s reply didn’t come until a day later.