Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 12: Can’t Afford to Offend

Julian Ford stretched out his long legs, opened the door, and Aaron Carson respectfully handed over the bag in his hand, "President Ford, here’s your clothing."

With the clothes delivered, Aaron Carson wisely left immediately.

Julian Ford turned around, and the living room was empty, without a trace of Scarlett Shaw. He placed the bag on the bar counter, pulled out a dining chair, and leisurely sat down to eat breakfast.

Twenty minutes later, Scarlett Shaw listened for noises in the living room before slowly emerging from the bathroom.

Julian Ford didn’t lift his head, "Can you hide forever?"

Scarlett Shaw: "..."

Shouldn’t she be hiding???

The things she did with him, could they let a third person know???

Clearly, what concerned Scarlett Shaw, Julian Ford didn’t care at all.

Even if it became public, no one would dare gossip about Julian Ford; they’d only think Scarlett Shaw was delusional, shamelessly trying to seduce Julian Ford.

Julian Ford glanced at the bar counter, "Clothing."

"Thank you."

Scarlett Shaw changed her clothes and came out to find Julian Ford had finished eating his meal and was just fastening his tie, his expression indifferent, exuding a strong aura of dismissiveness.

Scarlett Shaw recalled last night’s phone call, "President Ford, your mother won’t give me trouble, will she?"

She hadn’t met Freya Pierce, but two phone calls were enough to feel Freya’s overwhelming, suffocating control over Julian Ford.

On top of that, Ryan Ford’s debauched behavior didn’t carry much moral sense.

It seemed this family couldn’t pull together a single normal person.

Julian Ford looked at her indifferently, "You were the one calling out last night."

Meaning, she should deal with the consequences herself.

Scarlett Shaw was angry: "Clearly, you deliberately..."

Julian Ford: "Deliberately what?"

Scarlett Shaw didn’t want to say another word to Julian Ford, quickly finishing her meal and slamming the door shut as she left, even faster than his actions.

She rushed downstairs and met eyes with Aaron Carson, who was standing next to the Bentley, their eyes locked.

Aaron Carson’s pupils shook but he maintained his professional smile, "Morning."

Scarlett Shaw was despondent and apathetic, "Morning."

...

Three strikes and you’re out; after the second time, Scarlett Shaw was constantly reminded by her survival instincts, never to get involved with Julian Ford again.

Whether it was Ryan Ford or Mrs. Ford, if they found out about her affair with Julian Ford, she’d be the one suffering the consequences, while Julian Ford would emerge unscathed.

Although Scarlett Shaw’s life was difficult now, she was determined to live on and cherished her life, not wanting to die early.

Moreover, she had resolved to outlive Julian Ford. This life may offer her no chance to exact revenge on him while alive, but once he was dead, she planned to find a dark, windy night and dance on his grave.

Fortunately for Scarlett Shaw, Julian Ford didn’t seek her out since then.

Occasionally bumping into him at the company, she’d greet him politely as President Ford, her demeanor distant and courteous.

Julian Ford remained that high and untouchable figure in everyone’s eyes, possessing an inviolable demeanor.

In the morning, Scarlett Shaw at her desk analyzed the business conditions and stock prices of recently invested companies.

Lily hummed happily as she entered.

Skyler Miller: "What’s got you so happy?"

Lily took a long sip of coffee, "People who do bad deeds will end up paying for them."

Skyler Miller raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"

"The finance department provided President Ford with erroneous data, and the foundational data came from Chloe Grant." Lily lowered her voice, "Because of this, the finance department leader’s bonus was halved, and Chloe was docked three months’ pay."

Upon hearing this, Skyler Miller didn’t gloat but instead looked serious.

"President Ford values data accuracy the most. For something even slightly off, it could mean a huge error, and since our company’s main business is investments, faulty financial data means everything is wasted. Just docking pay is lenient."

"Everyone make sure to be careful yourselves. Don’t make such rookie mistakes."

Lily: "So you’re saying President Ford was intentionally lenient?"

Scarlett Shaw and Skyler Miller exchanged glances but remained silent.

Lily was displeased, "There you go again, being all mysterious."

Skyler Miller tapped her forehead lightly with a pen, "Haven’t I told you? Do more, talk less. Is the risk report for those companies from last week ready?"

Lily: "It’s almost done, it’ll be ready tonight!"

In the evening, after finishing overtime work, Skyler Miller invited Scarlett Shaw for dinner.

Scarlett Shaw nodded, "Then it’s my treat."

Skyler Miller refused, "I’m the one suggesting dinner, why should you pay?"

Knowing Scarlett Shaw’s situation, Skyler Miller cared for her a lot, being strict at work but mentoring her a lot. Scarlett Shaw was grateful and insisted on paying this time.

"Alright, just this once." Skyler Miller finally relented.

The two found a restaurant in the nearby mall, opting for a private booth that’s perfect for chatting.

Skyler Miller asked about the recent trip to Hibiscus City, and after Scarlett Shaw recounted the events, she said thoughtfully, "It seems the company’s previous investment ideology is completely different from President Ford’s ideas. But President Ford doesn’t plan to reform it immediately."

Skyler Miller wasn’t surprised:

"That’s a given, no matter how strong one’s abilities are, going solo is only suicide."

"Besides, the domestic investment environment is very different from overseas; what’s suitable abroad might not be applicable at home."

"Despite the finance department’s big error, only pay cuts were imposed. I heard President Spencer personally pleaded with President Ford."

President Spencer is Finn Spencer, the general manager of Veridian.

Scarlett Shaw listened thoughtfully.

Skyler Miller: "What are you thinking?"

Scarlett Shaw: "Is it possible the error wasn’t accidental this time?"

Skyler Miller’s expression changed: "You’re suggesting the data given to President Ford was intentionally falsified?"

"It’s just a hypothesis."

Scarlett Shaw couldn’t provide proof, nor did she want to elaborate, leaving the thought like an assumption floating in her mind without a concrete basis or intention to verify.

Skyler Miller: "If it’s just a hypothesis, you should only keep it in mind and focus on what we need to do. Internal power struggles are not our concern."

Scarlett Shaw: "Yes."

"Has Chloe Grant got herself a wealthy boyfriend?"

Skyler Miller suddenly switched topics.

Scarlett Shaw paused in peeling shrimp, asking calmly, "Why do you say that?"

Skyler Miller: "Haven’t you noticed her current bags, clothes brands, all high-end! She even switched to driving a BMW a few days ago; she joined the company the same time as you and is still at the finance’s grassroots level. Can she afford all that on her salary?"

Scarlett Shaw chuckled, "I’m not sure."

Skyler Miller sighed, "That’s just like you, being so nonchalant. In my opinion, with Chloe Grant’s scheming, if you were dating a wealthy boyfriend, she’d definitely pull some tricks."

Skyler Miller, having been in the workplace for fifteen years, was excellent at judging characters.

Chloe Grant, she appeared indifferent to worldly matters, but after several interactions, Skyler Miller knew well enough Chloe couldn’t be deeply trusted.

Scarlett Shaw: "If it’s mine, she can’t take it away no matter how many tricks she pulls. If it’s not mine, I won’t insist on having it."

Skyler Miller paused, realizing the implication behind her words, in disbelief.

Scarlett Shaw placed the peeled shrimp into her bowl.

Skyler Miller: "No way?!"

Scarlett Shaw: "It’s not impossible. I wasn’t expecting it either."

More than a month ago, seeing the kiss marks on Chloe Grant’s neck in the elevator, Scarlett Shaw started suspecting.

Since moving out of the Grant Family at eighteen, Chloe Grant hadn’t reached out to her, nor did she call her sister anymore. Why would Chloe now share about having a boyfriend?

Unless it was something meant to disgust Scarlett Shaw.

Later, Chloe Grant intentionally revealed the pinching marks on her waist and leaked Scarlett Shaw’s work schedule to James Bell.

Scarlett Shaw wasn’t surprised about Chloe Grant being involved with Ryan Ford.

Skyler Miller wasn’t as serene as Scarlett Shaw, "What kind of trash is your ex? Cheating with his girlfriend’s cousin? Does he have any shame?"

Scarlett Shaw picked a piece of salmon for her, "Calm down."

Skyler Miller rolled up her sleeves, "Better not let me catch those two adulterers! I’ll make them suffer!"

Scarlett Shaw: "Let’s not; they can’t be messed with."

Skyler Miller: "You might not be able to, but I sure can! I’ve survived in Capitoline all these years."

Scarlett Shaw said nothing, went to the front desk to settle the bill, returned to the seat, grabbed her bag, and as she and Skyler Miller were about to leave, the back room door opened simultaneously, with Ryan Ford and Chloe Grant emerging one after the other.