Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 90: Reciprocity

Scarlett Shaw didn’t notice Julian Ford’s shifting gaze; she just quietly sat on the sofa, and when she occasionally heard Julian’s deep, cold voice, she couldn’t help but glance at him.

By the dining table was a huge, transparent floor-to-ceiling window; outside, snow drifted down, and the fog was thick and heavy.

Julian wore a soft, pale sweater, and beneath his indifferent exterior, there was a rare hint of gentle, clean warmth.

For a brief moment, Scarlett even wondered if this was the real Julian Ford.

Her phone suddenly buzzed twice. She looked down and opened a message from Aaron Carson:

You keep staring at President Ford.

Scarlett: ...

The gaze that had landed on the man abruptly retreated, her fingers tightened around her phone, turning pale.

The flutter in her chest, under intense restraint, was little by little suppressed, lying dormant.

Scarlett didn’t reply to Aaron’s message. But only a few minutes later, he sent another:

- Did you say you wouldn’t suffer for love?

He even added a smug, nose-picking emoji.

Scarlett was speechless. She lifted her eyes to glance at Aaron—his fake serious expression was filled with obvious, self-satisfied mockery.

Scarlett lowered her head, typed on the screen, and replied: At least we’ve been through some tough times together—are our feelings really this shallow?

Aaron: It’s better we stay emotionless; otherwise, we’d both end up on President Ford’s hit list.

Scarlett: Great, next time I’ll go tell Auntie you don’t actually have a girlfriend.

Aaron: ...

Aaron and Scarlett were chatting animatedly, yet forgot something very important: Julian Ford was currently using Aaron’s Mac for his meeting.

And Aaron had a habit—logging into WhatsApp on his computer right after starting it up.

Julian Ford had zero interest in snooping on his subordinates’ private messages, but the green chat icon kept flashing. Just as he was about to close it out, he noticed Scarlett’s WhatsApp avatar was jumping.

...

Half an hour later, the video conference ended.

For many years after, Aaron would look back on this moment’s "innocent naivety"—it would become a legendary embarrassment he’d never shake.

Of course, at this moment, Julian Ford’s dark eyes were calm and deep, his expression unchanged, showing no sign of surprise.

Only when Aaron was respectfully packing away his equipment did Julian say offhandedly, "You and Scarlett Shaw are getting pretty close these days."

Aaron stiffened all over, completely oblivious that everything had already come to light. He still smiled politely and replied, "Not really. It’s just some collegial friendship."

Julian tapped his fingers twice on the marble tabletop.

"That’s good."

His tone was steady, nothing unusual.

Aaron inexplicably felt his scalp tingle, but soon Julian gestured, "You’re off today—no need to follow me around."

Aaron was stunned for a second, instinctively glanced at Scarlett, then quickly looked away and lowered his eyes, replying, "Yes, sir."

The room was left with just Julian Ford and Scarlett Shaw.

Scarlett quickly walked over to Julian and gently asked, "President Ford, the appointment with President Lawson isn’t until the evening. Did you need me for something now?"

Julian sat in his chair, eyes lifting slightly.

Their gazes locked.

Julian’s eyes were as calm as water, yet in their depths, there seemed to swirl a vortex, stirring Scarlett’s heart till it was restless and anxious.

She was the first to break, turning her head to avoid his gaze.

"How’s the hand-warmer working for you?"

Julian spoke, and Scarlett was taken aback—clearly not expecting him to bring this up out of nowhere.

She answered truthfully, "It’s really warm, thank you, President Ford."

"Do you like it?"

Julian’s voice was low and undeniably seductive, even with a hint of enchantment.

Scarlett felt a bit dazed.

A few days ago at the airport, Julian had asked her the exact same thing, but back then, he said it so lightly, almost just in passing; this time, it seemed shrouded in mist, an ambiguous undertone swirling beneath.

Scarlett answered with a soft "Mm."

Julian’s brow lifted slightly. "You really aren’t picky, huh? Whoever gives you a gift, you’ll use it."

Scarlett touched her nose. "Well, if I didn’t, wouldn’t I be letting down the person’s good intentions?"

Julian’s lips curled up. "Last time, when Jasper Spencer gave you that gift, didn’t you say you’d return the favor?"

"I sent him money."

As soon as Scarlett said it, she saw Julian squint his eyes, the dark gaze layered with meaning, his chilly aura intensifying. After a moment’s thought, she hesitated, "Are you saying I should return the favor?"

Julian’s voice was cool. "Reciprocity—isn’t that basic manners in life?"

"..."

Scarlett honestly wanted to blurt out: If you really understood manners, then last night you wouldn’t have pinned me against the wall and kissed me.

But it’s hard to reject a gift.

So Scarlett kept her retort silent, and asked cautiously, "So, what do you want?"

The last time, with that five-figure tie clip, her heart ached for half a month. She just hoped he wouldn’t ask for anything too expensive this time.

Julian glanced at her coldly. "When I got you something, did I ask you that question?"

Scarlett: "..."

She got it now—he didn’t want a straightforward conversation, but he wanted her to pick a gift that’d hit the mark with him.

No wonder he was the famously hard-to-please rich kid.

The hand-warmer Julian had given her was genuinely useful, and she did truly like it, but only because her feelings for him colored her judgment, making her cherish it so much.

But as far as Julian was concerned, she hardly mattered—let alone satisfy him. If she could avoid criticism, Scarlett should already thank her lucky stars.

After pondering for a while, Scarlett genuinely couldn’t figure out what on earth Julian Ford could possibly lack.

When she fell silent, Julian’s face inevitably darkened, thinking about Aaron’s WhatsApp comments, and said mockingly:

"You’ve worked with me—and still don’t know what I want?"

At this, Scarlett warily took two steps back, putting on a serious face, "Julian Ford, business is business. If you mean that, I’ll just give the hand-warmer back, or send you the money, your choice."

This time, Julian really hadn’t meant "that."

What he actually meant was: after all this time together—nearly half a year—Scarlett still didn’t know his preferences. It showed that apart from doing her job, she didn’t truly care about him.

Is this what she calls ’liking’ someone?

A coldness crept into Julian’s heart.

Scarlett glanced up at him, saw his icy expression was void of anything inappropriate, and quickly realized she must’ve misunderstood.

So she thought for a moment, and said gently, "I admit, I don’t know much about what you like. But you can’t put it all on me—you’re a high-born young master, you’re not short of anything, and you always hide your true self. I’m not a mind reader; how could I possibly get it all right? Now, if you tell me, I’ll know."

Julian gave her a look. "You’re good at justifying yourself."

Seeing his chilly aura lighten a bit, Scarlett seized the opportunity and said, "How about we go walk around the shops, since it’s still early? If you see something you like, I’ll buy it."