Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 164: I Don’t Want Anyone Else

Julian Ford paused, lightly pinching her chin.

His expression was calm, yet his aura carried a layer of chilling danger.

"If I ever see you get hurt to protect someone again, I’ll teach a lesson to both you and the person you’re protecting. Even if it’s your friend, I won’t let them off."

Someone else might say these words as swagger or as a way to express concern for their girlfriend.

But if it were Julian Ford, Scarlett Shaw’s intuition told her he would absolutely do it.

"What if it’s to protect you?"

Scarlett suddenly asked.

Julian paused in gathering the medical kit, raised his hand to gently grip her fair neck, and said in a tone like a promise, "I’m your boyfriend. No matter what, it’s my job to protect you."

Scarlett looked steadily into his eyes and asked, "But what if something happens to you, what am I supposed to do?"

Their eyes met, both sets filled with profound darkness.

Each harbored their own thoughts.

The pain from her torn wrist seemed to spread through her entire body. Just thinking about Julian’s illness caused a dull ache in Scarlett’s chest. "Julian Ford, weren’t you heartbroken when you saw I got hurt yesterday? Have you ever thought, if one day something happens to you, what will I feel?"

Julian looked at her, his expression unchanged, and said, "You can leave me and live a better life."

Scarlett: "..."

She was about to explode from his indifferent, carefree attitude, totally unconcerned about himself!

Scarlett was so angry she wanted to blow up, but Julian Ford held her head and rubbed it, speaking in a calm and assured manner, "Scarlett, you are inherently a wonderful person. Anyone who loves you, or whoever you love, you will be happy."

The air fell silent.

Julian lowered his eyes and saw Scarlett’s reddened eyes, filled with deep anger and sadness.

"I don’t want anyone else."

She gritted her teeth, her voice choking with sobs, her whole body aching.

The wound on her wrist seemed to hurt more than the moment it was initially pierced yesterday.

"Julian Ford, I only want you to be well; you’re more important to me than anything."

The tears pooled in her eyes burst forth tumultuously, and she couldn’t control herself as she hugged him, crying out in a broken voice, "Have you never thought, if something happens to you, I’ll be left all alone?"

She never spoke to him about feeling lonely because she always knew that what initially attracted him might have only been her pure joy and straightforwardness. So she deeply hid all the pessimistic and dark thoughts.

But the real her was not how she appeared on the surface.

Otherwise, why would she have considered ending her life long ago when no one around her loved her?

Even if she later regretted it, those thoughts genuinely existed once.

This was probably the saddest Scarlett Shaw had cried since knowing Julian Ford. Before, it was always because of her own grievances, but this time was completely different.

If they just broke up, at least she could still see him. He was so dazzling, she could spot him anywhere. But if she didn’t even have the chance to look at him anymore, what would she do?

His girlfriend was trembling with sobs in his arms, Julian Ford’s eyes were dark as he lowered his head to kiss the corner of her eyes.

A bitter and salty taste spread on his tongue.

His kisses fell on her tear-stained pink lips, delving in.

"I won’t let anything happen to me."

Julian’s calm voice carried a reassuring warmth.

Scarlett tightened her arms, muttering, "Promise me."

"Mm."

Some promises are known to be fragile the moment they are spoken, yet still we choose to believe in them.

Simply because, apart from believing, there’s no other option.

...

A few days later.

Julian Ford encountered Ezra Ford at Veridian. The latter cast him a glance without saying anything, and headed straight for the CEO’s office.

Julian’s expression remained indifferent as he followed.

The door closed heavily, and Ezra stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, turning back to look at his son with a half-smile.

"I underestimated your feelings for Scarlett Shaw. Ignoring my calls and not caring about the family. What, you want to cut ties with the family over this woman?"

"If that’s how you see it, I can’t help it."

Julian said nonchalantly.

With only father and son in the office, Ezra Ford got straight to the point without beating around the bush:

"I’m still hiding this from your mother, but you should know that having a girlfriend who’s below our standards won’t sit well with her once she finds out. Besides, rumors are already spreading in our circle. She’ll find out sooner or later. You’d better end this relationship before she does."

"If mother’s emotions are unstable, the primary responsibility is hers, the secondary yours. You don’t need to use this to scare me, it won’t work."

Julian said matter-of-factly.

"Also, I don’t want to hear any derogatory comments about Scarlett from you again."

Ezra’s expression paused, giving him a sharp look.

There was not only disdain and reproach in his eyes, but also a hint of imperceptible surprise.

After all, he had never seen his son so openly and candidly protect anyone, not even himself as a father.

"You think ’below our standards’ is an insult?"

Ezra laughed meaningfully.

"But Julian, isn’t that the truth? Apart from her looks, Scarlett Shaw’s family, background, social status, and the resources she can provide, she doesn’t match up to you in any way."

"On the other hand, the material resources she gains from you are countless. How long have you two been dating? You already bought her an eight-figure house. If you tell me her feelings for you are genuine, don’t you think it’s laughable?"

Ezra’s words were laid-back yet carried an undeniable certainty.

Julian glanced at him lightly and replied calmly, "What kind of person Scarlett is has nothing to do with you. You’re just my father, not hers. You have no standing or qualification to judge her."

Ezra found it amusing, mocking, "She’s now my son’s girlfriend, spending the Ford family’s money and resources. She’s also an employee at Veridian’s Investment Division. Why can’t I judge her? Don’t tell me all that money you have is self-earned. Without the family’s resources and background, would you be where you are today?"

Julian showed no reaction to Ezra’s words.

Instead, he raised an eyebrow slightly, as if anticipating what he would say, "By your logic, isn’t the Ford family’s current wealth and status also built on others’ sacrifices? Without those who lost everything, would you be where you are now? Would you feel grateful to them?"

Julian paused. Seeing Ezra’s gaze darken suddenly, he continued unmoved:

"I won’t deny benefitting from the Ford family, but if you’re using those words to threaten me, let me give you a piece of advice—"

Ezra squinted his eyes.

Even if there was a palpable tension, the father-son bond was still one of blood relation.

Even if words weren’t spoken, both sides knew what was at stake.

Julian chuckled softly, with a heartless detachment, "While you’re still in good shape, have another kid with mom. Hopefully, they’ll be like my brother, and stop playing your replacement game with me,"

"You bastard!"

Ezra growled, grabbing the ashtray from the desk and hurling it at Julian.