Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 115: Breaking Up Means Cashing In

"How could I possibly stir up trouble? I don’t like Scarlett Shaw, I don’t like Julian Ford, who am I gonna steal?"

"Then what are you getting at?"

Jasper Spencer paused, then said, "Anyway, even if Scarlett Shaw and Julian Ford really start dating, there’s no way they’re getting married. It’s just messing around. Maybe it’ll even give Julian Ford a taste of heartbreak—of course I’d support that."

Scarlett was speechless. "Well, then your calculations are off. Julian’s way too rational. He’s not gonna do that."

"You never know."

Jasper picked up a strawberry and tossed it into his mouth, saying:

"Back when he was dating Zoe, he was so cold and aloof you’d think the Sutton Family owed him money or something! But the way Julian Ford acted yesterday, it was way more than just a little crush. He probably hasn’t even realized it himself. Once he loses you, he’ll regret it so much—and I can’t wait to see him make an ass out of himself, hahahahaha!"

Scarlett and Yana: "..."

As the saying goes, love them enough and you turn into their hater; hate them deeply enough and you become a true fan.

Jasper Spencer was basically a living example.

Yana couldn’t stand it anymore and couldn’t help snapping at him, "Scarlett and Julian aren’t even dating yet, and you’re already waiting for them to break up? Jasper, are you just born this nasty?"

Jasper glanced at Scarlett and said, "Yeah, it sounds harsh, but Scarlett, if you and Julian really get together, a breakup is only a matter of time. The Ford family would never let Julian marry a woman with no family background who can’t bring them any benefit. Plus..."

Jasper popped another strawberry into his mouth as he spoke.

Yana: "Don’t you dare stop at the juicy part, spit it out already!"

Jasper rolled his eyes at her before going on:

"And I’m not just making things up about Julian falling for Scarlett. The guy didn’t even bother to hide that he was going after you yesterday. If you two actually start dating, word is definitely going to get back to the Ford family. But don’t worry, as long as Julian wants to keep this going, he definitely has the ability to keep you from being even slightly wronged by his family."

Yana sounded surprised. "How can you be so sure?"

Jasper pulled a thin smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "He doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses, but when he does, he gets super protective. Back when he was into racing, Mrs. Ford thought it was too dangerous, so she went out of her way to burn his brand new car right after he finished building it. Julian Ford literally rammed his car into the Ford family mansion—trashed the living room."

Yana and Scarlett: "..."

Yana: "Honestly, from the way you tell it, I can’t tell which one of them was more psycho—Mrs. Ford or Julian."

"Probably both pretty nuts."

Jasper got here and was tempted to mention something about Julian’s reckless, do-or-die attitude, but when he looked at Scarlett, he swallowed it down.

He just said, "Anyway, if you date Julian Ford, he definitely won’t cheat you out of anything. Scoop up as much cash as you can, get him to fall a little harder for you. If you break up, you still come out ahead. Families like the Ford’s, best not to get involved. Trust me, it’s not worth it."

Yana clearly didn’t agree with Jasper and said to Scarlett:

"Scarlett, dating doesn’t have to be that complicated. If you like him, go for it. These days, does falling in love with someone sincerely count as a crime or something? Breaking up isn’t going to kill you—at worst you’ll get your heart broken. As long as you don’t lose money, everything else is manageable."

Jasper was kind of surprised by that. "Wow, didn’t expect you to be so philosophical. So how come I’ve never seen you date anyone?"

Yana: "None of your damn business. If I did, it still wouldn’t be you."

Jasper: "..."

...

The New Year came quickly. Scarlett took her annual leave two days early, bought some New Year’s goods, and went to her grandma’s place to celebrate together.

When Scarlett saw Felix Ford, she greeted him politely and distantly, "Uncle."

Felix made some meaningless small talk with her, but once he saw Scarlett’s grandma go into the kitchen, he asked casually, "You’re still working at Veridian?"

Scarlett’s expression froze for a beat. "Uncle, if you’ve got something to say, just say it. No need to beat around the bush with me."

She and this so-called uncle were never close.

No way did she believe he actually cared about her job.

Felix lit a cigarette and held it between his lips. "I heard Veridian pays well, treats their staff nicely. Year-end bonuses must be pretty solid?"

"Whoever told you that—go ask them. I have nothing to say."

Scarlett started heading toward the kitchen to help her grandma.

Felix reached out to block her path, chuckling, "Don’t want your grandma getting all worked up. Just chat with your uncle for a bit."

Scarlett took a deep breath. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Your mom’s caretaker for her treatment was a huge expense, but you sorted that out. Now that you’re doing well, Scarlett, isn’t it time to help your uncle out too?"

"Help you?"

Scarlett’s eyes instantly sharpened, her gaze icy.

"Back when your sister bailed on me after my dad went bankrupt and ignored me for years, did you ever remember you were my uncle then? When grandma’s university money for me was wasted ’cause you pissed her into the hospital, did you remember you were my uncle then?"

Felix just laughed instead of getting mad. "That’s all in the past, what’s the point dredging it up? We’re family, you really gonna hold a grudge against your own uncle?"

"My grandma and I are family—not you." Scarlett paused. "And not Serena Ford either."

Your sister.

Serena Ford.

Those two cold, formal terms, the lines couldn’t be more clear.

This mother—Scarlett didn’t want her anymore either.

Felix saw she wasn’t budging, so he didn’t push. Just smiled, and there was something sneaky in that smile that made Scarlett deeply uncomfortable. But soon enough, she’d know what it meant.

The doorbell rang while Scarlett was bringing dishes out from the kitchen to the table.

Felix answered the door.

When Scarlett put down the food and looked up, she saw Ryan Ford entering with a pile of gifts, an easy smile on his lips, peach blossom eyes locking onto her. His voice was soft: "Scarlett, happy New Year."

Scarlett: "..."

See him? What’s so happy about it?

Scarlett averted her eyes and just headed back to the kitchen to help out, acting like she’d never seen this guy before in her life.

It was her grandma who came out, saw Ryan, and paused in surprise.

Ryan smiled charmingly and politely: "Hello Grandma, happy New Year. I’m Ford."

"Ford, is it?"

Grandma gave a dry laugh, went back to the kitchen, and patted Scarlett on the shoulder. "Scarlett, that Ford, didn’t you say you broke up? Why’s he still coming around for New Year’s?"

"Uncle invited him," Scarlett answered honestly.

Grandma let out a heavy sigh and cursed at Felix twice under her breath.

But Scarlett realized her grandma had mentioned before that Felix used to gamble with Uncle Chester Grant, and combined with the fact that Chloe Grant once helped Ryan spy on her after work, it was probably Chester’s doing that got Felix hooked up with Ryan.

Ryan showing up out of nowhere was a pain in the ass.

But on the surface, he was all politeness—no sign of being aggressive, quite the opposite: sweet talker, good manners. For now, he wasn’t causing any trouble.

While eating, Scarlett got a new WhatsApp friend request on her phone.

It was Ryan, with a brand-new number, trying to add her.

"""