Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 22: What’s the Point of Just Saying Thanks

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: What’s the Point of Just Saying Thanks

Heaven and earth as my witness, she really was worried about him.

Even if her main reason was that 5,000 dollars.

Of course, there was also a little—though not much—basic human decency involved.

But before Scarlett Shaw could say anything, she heard Julian Ford let out two quiet coughs.

He hadn’t had those symptoms yesterday; clearly his cold was getting worse.

Scarlett didn’t say a word, just silently ate her breakfast, then left the house without a sound, bag in hand.

"Where are you going?"

Julian Ford’s slightly hoarse voice drifted calmly from behind her.

Even sick, that air of proud superiority barely faded a bit.

Scarlett said, "President Ford, it’s Monday. I have work."

Julian’s lips curled, totally unimpressed. "If you add up your salary for two months, is it even 5,000 dollars? You think just showing up at night and muddling through is enough?"

"..."

Right now she just wanted to go to the ATM, withdraw 5,000 dollars in cash, and smash it right into Ford the Skinner’s annoyingly handsome face!

Scarlett flared up. "President Ford, you’re the boss—you have freedom, you can just skip work, but I’m just corporate cannon fodder. If I don’t clock in, I’m practically in jail every day!"

Her cubicle was right by the window. Pair that with a song like "Tears Behind Bars," the ambiance was just over the top.

Of course, as a capitalist, Julian Ford was never going to care about her interests or feelings.

"Go get some water."

Julian tossed the words out and lounged comfortably on the sofa, not wasting another syllable.

But Scarlett could read it from the icy set of his profile—if she really snuck out today, her real job would be gone, too.

If she got fired from Veridian, how the hell was she supposed to survive in this industry?

Resigned, Scarlett made Julian his tea and brought over some water, then found a spare moment to message Skyler Miller to call in sick.

She didn’t want her pay docked, so she was using her annual leave. She only had five days left to begin with, and now, even less.

Skyler Miller: Assistant Carson said this morning you and President Ford were on a business trip. Why are you requesting time off again?

Scarlett froze for a second.

She couldn’t help glancing in Julian Ford’s direction, sneaking a peek.

Julian was on the phone speaking English, the conversation quick and smooth, though his deep, cool voice had picked up a rough, raspy edge thanks to his cold.

Maybe her stare was too obvious, because Julian suddenly turned, locking eyes with her.

Scarlett hurriedly lowered her head, shot a reply back to Skyler Miller, and withdrew her time-off request.

When Julian finished his call and looked pretty unbothered, Scarlett edged closer and asked, "President Ford, was it you who asked Assistant Carson to put in a business trip request for me?"

Julian didn’t look up from his book, just grunted an affirmative.

Scarlett decided to press her luck: "Then, is the business trip allowance still mine by default?"

That’s a few grand right there.

Julian: "Yeah."

Scarlett’s face lit up. "Thank you, President Ford!"

Scarlett was honestly delighted—her tone even tipped upward; Julian looked up, right into her eyes that were brimming with laughter, shining bright like little stars.

Scarlett’s looks had zero aggressiveness to begin with, matching her personality to a T—especially when she smiled, like a melting marshmallow: super soft and sweet, but never cloying.

Julian’s gaze grew darker.

Scarlett noticed the change in his demeanor and paused, just a second.

The next thing she knew, her wrist was gently tugged and before she could react, she was sitting on Julian’s lap.

Julian’s big hand rested on her waist, his voice very calm, hoarse from his cold: "What’s the point of just saying thanks?"

Of course Scarlett knew exactly what he meant by that.

Julian could get pretty wild in that department, and his appetite was intense. Every time she’d been with him, she almost couldn’t handle it.

She pleaded, "President Ford, you’re still sick. Isn’t this bad for your health?"

Of course, selfishly, she really didn’t want to catch the flu from him, either.

Most importantly, the more often this happened, the more dangerous things got. If this ever got out, Julian Ford could walk away clean as a whistle, but she’d be left as the punchline for everyone’s gossip.

Rumors could gut a person—without leaving a mark.

Julian’s gaze dropped, eyes landing on her face.

She was wearing a mask, only those jet-black eyes showing—round and glossy, overflowing with wariness and caution.

After a while, Julian pushed her off his lap.

Scarlett, caught off guard, nearly landed right on her butt.

Looking back, the instigator was sprawled on the sofa, relaxed and elegant, not sparing her another glance.

Scarlett was used to Julian Ford’s unpredictable moods, so she didn’t really take it to heart, just spun on her heel and retreated to the kitchen to figure out lunch.

Noon.

Scarlett and Julian faced each other over lunch at the dining table when her phone suddenly lit up—call from Chloe Grant.

Scarlett was genuinely surprised. If Chloe reached out first, that was rarer than the sun rising in the west. It had to be work-related, she figured, so she picked up right away so she wouldn’t hold things up.

Chloe: "Mom wants you home for dinner tonight."

Usually, if it were any other day, Scarlett would’ve just agreed out of habit.

But for the next few days, she had to take care of this particular "boss," all for the money—she couldn’t afford to slack off.

Scarlett: "I have something going on tonight, won’t be able to make it. I’ll explain to Auntie later—stop by this weekend instead."

"Whatever. My mom busted her ass raising you for three years, and now she’s sick. She asks you to come by, and it’s like pulling teeth with you. Honestly, it’s the same as raising an ungrateful wolf."

Chloe’s voice was icy cold.

With a heavy dose of sarcasm.

Scarlett frowned. "Auntie’s sick?"

Chloe ignored her and hung up.

Scarlett’s feelings toward Penelope Shaw were pretty complicated, but considering her health, she thought it over and decided to ask Julian Ford after the meal.

Julian: "The access card is by the entry. Take it with you."

Scarlett hadn’t expected Julian to be so easygoing—she was actually a little shock-grateful about it.

But then she caught sight of Julian’s cool, distant look and immediately sobered up.

Sure enough, after being PUA’d for so long, your base level for happiness just drops. Now, even small favors from Julian Ford made her feel weirdly thankful.

Evening.

Scarlett hurried back to the Grant Family home.

Chester Grant opened the door and, on seeing Scarlett, paused a second before giving her a friendly, gentle smile. "It’s been so long, Scarlett’s grown more and more lovely."

Scarlett handed over the fruit and gifts she’d brought, smiling politely but distantly. "Uncle."

Chester welcomed her in warmly.

Penelope Shaw was lying on the sofa watching TV. Scarlett went over to greet her, asking about her health with concern, but Penelope only responded in a lukewarm way, then said, "It’s dinner time, go help your uncle bring the dishes to the table."

Scarlett did as told.

She’d just set the chopsticks and bowls out when Chloe came home from work.

Chloe shot her a passing glance, didn’t say a word, just washed her hands in the kitchen and came out to sit at the table. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Penelope looked at Scarlett. "Go get a bowl of rice for your sister."

Scarlett didn’t move.

Penelope called her again.

Scarlett replied calmly, "Auntie, I’m here to check in on you. Did Chloe break her arms and legs? Can’t she get her own rice?"

Penelope’s face, not great to begin with, instantly chilled.

"I really did raise you for nothing. Now, even the simplest things, you refuse to do!"

"Mom, I’ll get it myself. No need to bother my sister."

Chloe stood up, gave a tiny smile, not fussed at all, and went to the kitchen for her rice.

Penelope’s face turned pained.

Scarlett lowered her head and ate in silence.

But she genuinely didn’t have much appetite, feeling like she was on pins and needles—the awkwardness even worse than in front of Julian Ford.

"You and Ryan Ford broke up?" Penelope suddenly asked.