Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 187: Belief

The moment Aaron Carson finished speaking, a hint of surprise emerged in both Scarlett Shaw and Julian Ford’s eyes.

For the former, there was also a trace of uncontrollable panic.

However, after going through past memories in her mind, Scarlett’s panic subsided, and she calmly said:

"If Rhonda’s information is reliable, then Anna Ford, who is supposedly in a romantic relationship with Dominic Locke, should not be my mother, but the real Anna Ford. My mother was in Capitoline before her sudden disappearance and never left me for long; she couldn’t have just appeared in Cloud Harbor."

"In other words, Anna Ford and your mother Serena Ford were unrelated individuals who coincidentally disappeared at the same time, and it just so happened that they looked remarkably similar."

Julian Ford summed up following Scarlett’s words.

Scarlett nodded, agreeing with his conclusion.

Julian’s dark eyes deepened slightly as he glanced at her, and a possibility arose from the depths of his heart—

If Serena Ford is now living under the identity of Anna Ford, while the real Anna Ford is missing, then it’s possible Serena Ford might have crossed paths with Dominic Locke.

Julian doesn’t know much about Dominic Locke.

After all, one is in Cloud Harbor, the other in Capitoline; the former’s business mainly involves traditional industries, which deviate from Veridian’s current investment direction.

However, even though they had no dealings before, Dominic Locke’s name carried weight; it’s said he was restless in his youth, crossing paths with both sides of the law, and anyone who offended him met a terrible fate.

In business, such a person operating in gray areas was a minor issue; even involving death wasn’t surprising.

If his speculation is correct, it’s indeed a good thing if Serena Ford completely cuts ties with Scarlett and disappears entirely, no matter her motivations.

Thinking of this, Julian’s black pupils narrowed slightly, and he lowered his gaze, seeing Scarlett’s clear and pure eyes in his view.

Indeed, someone like her shouldn’t be tainted with any stains or dust.

Julian didn’t voice this speculation because, in his view, other than adding unnecessary burden to Scarlett and leading her into danger, it had no other purpose.

"Aside from this, Rhonda, did you find anything else?"

Scarlett pursued the question.

Aaron shook his head, "Both Anna Ford and Dominic Locke are from Cloud Harbor, and Dominic Locke has significant influence there; it’s hard for me to investigate further."

He’s neither a police officer nor a detective; being able to investigate to this point was indeed a stroke of luck.

Scarlett realized this too, so she didn’t press Aaron further, not wanting to trouble him more.

Moreover, even if she wanted to continue investigating, this wasn’t the best time.

After all, dealing with Josiah Sutton’s illness was the most important thing for her at the moment.

Regarding the specific timing of the surgery, Josiah’s side was very efficient, informing Julian Ford on the same night—

The end of June, the start of a flourishing summer.

When they received the news, Scarlett and Julian were at Cloud Mansion.

The former was nestled in a hammock chair on the balcony, reading a book, while the latter leisurely reclined on the sofa with a Mac on his lap, his gaze indifferently resting on the screen ahead, a phone to his ear, and Josiah Sutton’s orderly voice flowing through.

The early summer night breeze carried a faint warmth, caressing Scarlett’s face, blowing a few strands of hair playfully across her eyes, blocking her view.

She casually tucked her hair behind her ear, and at that moment, her eyes were drawn to the bright, rounded moon hanging in the sky.

The stars and moon reflected in her brilliant hazel eyes.

Often, when reminiscing about the past, the most profound moments are also the most mundane ones.

Just like this moment, what Julian Ford saw was a beauty exclusively his.

In life, despite all the hardships and obstacles, the muddy abyss, what supports us through these pains are often certain beliefs.

And for Scarlett Shaw and Julian Ford, during those future days apart, the belief sustaining them is each other’s presence in their hearts.

It’s memories as precious as they are at this moment.

Julian’s gaze was calm yet fiery, and Scarlett quickly noticed, turning her head to meet his eyes, her smile spreading as he slightly opened his arms towards her.

When it came to responding to Julian’s feelings, Scarlett was always relentless, never retreating.

She jumped off the hammock, ran barefoot to her boyfriend, hugged him, and cheekily said, "Your eyes just told me you like me very much."

"Yes, very much."

Julian Ford, who wasn’t adept at expressing love, gradually learned to openly and freely love her after meeting Scarlett Shaw. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Josiah just called; the surgery is at the end of the month."

Scarlett’s heart tightened, but she pretended to be relaxed, saying, "Time flies; from when we met last year to now, it’s almost a year, right?"

Julian looked down at her, "Yes, a year."

Some things can only truly be felt when one reaches the other shore, experiencing the fear and apprehension it brings.

Previously, Scarlett only thought about being by Julian’s side, and she believed that being together would withstand all challenges.

But now, thinking about the possibility of losing him in the most painful way despite being there, she suddenly lost the courage to face it all.

"Julian Ford."

Scarlett looked up, earnestly and purely at her boyfriend.

"Honestly, from the time my family faced trouble until now, only the year knowing you made time feel meaningful."

"If I tell you this, you’ll probably laugh at me. At first, I also thought about ending it all, so I wouldn’t have to face those messy issues anymore."

As the saying goes, evasion may be shameful but useful.

Scarlett, who always seemed brave and smiling, was truly vulnerable deep down.

Julian’s expression hardly changed, but his hand gently caressed her cheek, asking softly, "And then?"

"I actually reached the river where my dad died, but when I stepped in, I got scared and regretted it immediately."

Though this reason seemed awkward, it was indeed Scarlett’s genuine thought at the time.

At that moment, the fear of death far outweighed the cruelty reality brought, and the desire to live wasn’t even for those beautifully stated reasons of life’s splendor.

At its core, it was because of fear and cowardice.

"But my luck wasn’t good; when I didn’t want to die, the heavens seemingly wanted me gone, with heavy rain and thunder trapping me in the mountains. I was really afraid of being struck dead right there, maybe even ending up in the news headlines as a source of amusement for onlookers getting flogged in retrospect!"

Scarlett curled her lips, recounting past pains lightly in her usual joking manner.

But Julian tightly held her hand, "Scarlett, with me, even if you don’t smile, I’ll still love you."