Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 168: How Long Can You Last

Freya Pierce couldn’t take it in, her voice turning more sorrowful, "Why, why are you always like this, from childhood to adulthood, even if you had thought of your mother just once, our family wouldn’t have ended up like this now!"

Julian Ford furrowed his brow, obvious irritation showing in his expression.

This openly visible emotion was rarely seen on Julian Ford’s face.

Ryan Ford noticed and felt something was off, wanted to say something, but Freya’s next words left him speechless, like a fishbone stuck in his throat.

"You can even smile at Ryan’s mom and often sneak off to happily dine with them, yet you let your mother wait at home for you alone, and when you come back, you don’t even want to smile at her! Do you know how sad and upset your mother is seeing these scenes?!" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Julian Ford’s dark eyes flickered.

His perfectly sculpted jawline was tense, yet he remained silent in rebuttal.

His acquiescent attitude only intensified Freya Pierce’s emotions.

"Back when the family struggled so hard to get you and your brother out, even your brother lost his life protecting you. We gave you everything best, yet why are you still so selfish, never considering this family? Your mom poured all her love onto you, and you just stay indifferent without thinking of repaying her at all?"

"It’s all my fault..."

She muttered, tears streaming down like rain.

"I shouldn’t have insisted on having you, even when the doctor said my health wasn’t good. To give birth to you, Mom went through so much suffering, but what have you brought to her? When have you ever truly made her happy?"

Freya Pierce cried out, as though she was the most wronged mother in the world.

Listening beside her, Ryan Ford felt suffocated with the overwhelming information.

He couldn’t accept that the love of parents for their children could be such that it masqueraded as love but was actually manipulation.

His own mother had told him, more than once, that he didn’t need to live for anyone, he could always be free and always be himself.

But Julian Ford—

Ryan Ford suddenly recalled the first time Julian Ford appeared in front of him.

He was confused at the time as to why Julian Ford would come close to him, the so-called former lover’s son of his father, and show such respect to his mother, without a shred of arrogance from being the sole heir of the Ford family.

As a young child, Julian Ford only said blandly, "Because I am your brother."

A sentence from twenty years ago traversed time, striking straight at the heart.

Ryan Ford, at this moment, upon hearing Freya Pierce mention that Julian Ford had had a deceased brother, suddenly understood the true meaning of those words—

Not knowing how to satisfy his parents, Julian Ford could only try to earn their approval by playing the "brother" they desired.

"Mom, all he’s doing is having a relationship, he’s not doing anything immoral, don’t think like that."

Ryan Ford couldn’t help but speak up for Julian Ford.

He was willing to call Freya Pierce this because when he first entered the Ford family, the circumstances required it, and also because Freya’s attitude towards him, though not overly doting, was respectful enough and accepting.

To him, the form of address didn’t matter much.

A person’s place in another’s heart isn’t changed by titles.

Over the years, he and Freya had no significant clash, hence he had been calling her "Mom" for so many years.

But towards her own son, Julian Ford, Freya’s controlling and guilt-tripping ways were too much for Ryan Ford to bear.

"His girlfriend is a truly good girl; she’s not after his money, don’t see this as a catastrophe."

Freya Pierce only looked at the indifferent Julian Ford with red eyes, "Then tell your brother to break up with his girlfriend now."

Ryan Ford still couldn’t understand Freya Pierce’s thinking, "Mom, brother and Scarlett Shaw are happy together, why insist on breaking them up? The girls you introduced before didn’t appeal to him, why force it?"

"Happy?"

Ezra Ford glanced coldly at Ryan Ford, saying:

"What good is a fleeting happiness? The Ford family’s entire industry will fall on your brother’s shoulders, and if he chooses a woman who is of no help as a partner, when important decisions are needed, should they rely on happiness?"

Ryan Ford: "..."

The Ford family wasn’t particularly thriving in numbers.

Ethan Ford had no children, and as for Ryan, whether Ezra Ford considered him or not, he had no interest in the Ford family business.

The burden indeed rested entirely on Julian Ford.

Ryan Ford bit his lip, unable to speak for a moment.

Honestly, with Ezra Ford and Freya Pierce’s current attitude, even putting aside Julian Ford, Scarlett Shaw would likely suffer grievances in the future.

Ezra Ford withdrew his gaze from Ryan Ford and onto Julian Ford:

"You’re thirty years old, for one woman are you going to let this family fall apart like this? You find love beautiful now because it’s new, give it time, and the other might get sick of you even faster than you do."

"You’re my son; don’t I know your temperament? Since Ryan insists she’s truly into you, I guess you’ve argued a lot owing to your personality, haven’t you?"

"How long do you think you two can last?"

Ezra Ford’s expression showed an assured confidence.

It’s often said that the way to take down a snake is to strike at seven inches, the vulnerable spot.

Yet he was gripping his son’s vulnerable spot to attack him.

Julian Ford’s eyes were as dark as ink, his emotions unreadable, and he’s been facing the pressure from his parents just like that, silent and seemingly indifferent, unfazed.

And in Ezra Ford and Freya Pierce’s eyes, he was still the same now.

"Brother."

The speaker was Ethan Ford.

Ethan Ford, with a gentle frown, showed some displeasure as he addressed Ezra Ford:

"How can you say such things to Julian? It’s no different than belittling him."

Ezra Ford moved his lips, wanting to say that his family’s matters had nothing to do with Ethan.

Ethan Ford did not give him a chance to speak, continuing:

"Everyone has a unique personality with their shortcomings. Julian’s just a bit reserved, but at least from my perspective as an uncle, his love for you and Freya is not lacking. It’s you two who’ve been imposing non-existent expectations on him, even..."

"Uncle."

Julian Ford interrupted Ethan Ford, sweeping his indifferent gaze over Freya Pierce and Ezra Ford, said coldly:

"Since you two still hold this attitude, I have nothing more to say. Call me selfish, call me inconsiderate of you, it’s up to you. I don’t mind."

He paused, his cold eyes lingered on his mother’s beautiful, weary, tear-streaked face.

"Mom, since you regret having me and I’ve never made you happy, then calm yourself. For a while, I won’t be coming back."

After saying this, Julian Ford stood up from the dining table, walked towards the door without any trace of hesitation.

The butler beside him nervously handed over a suit jacket.

Julian Ford took it and draped it over his shoulders, walking out briskly.

When he returned to the Cloud Mansion, the night was as dark as ink.

As Julian Ford stepped out of the elevator and lifted his eyes, Scarlett Shaw was waiting at his door. Upon seeing him, her almond eyes shone like stars, moving towards him the moment he stopped and tightly embraced him.