Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 8: What Are You Doing?

There was no expression on Ryan Ford’s face, but his eyes were dangerously dark.

Scarlett Shaw had never seen him like this before.

In the three years they’d been together, he had never even lost his temper with her, let alone looked at her with this expression.

Scarlett suddenly felt that the Ryan Ford she knew before wasn’t really who he was at all.

"There’s no other man." Scarlett’s face twisted in pain from his grip. "I came to Hibiscus City on a business trip, with President Ford. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself."

Ryan loosened his grip a little, but his gaze stayed locked on her, as if weighing the truth in her words.

Scarlett felt a deep sense of despair.

"Ryan, the one who really cheated was you. You were the one who called me filthy, who said I wasn’t worth touching. What’s the point of you saying and doing all this now?"

Ryan’s eyelids trembled; the chill in his eyes faded.

But he still held on to her hand.

Scarlett tried to pull her hand free, but couldn’t. She gave up and just stood there motionless.

Ryan lowered his head, his nose brushing hers. "Scarlett, I like you. Let’s get back together, okay?"

This kind of spoiled, roguish young master—gentleness would always be his strongest weapon.

With his looks and charm, even without the status of the Fords’ Second Son, women would still fall into his arms effortlessly.

Scarlett herself, once upon a time, had fallen just like that.

She had known Ryan briefly when they were younger; back then, her life was still bright and promising, and she had no idea he was the Fords’ second son.

But at eighteen, when she crossed paths with Ryan again, she was already struggling to survive—her grandmother’s heart disease needed a large sum for treatment, and Scarlett had no choice but to work at her aunt’s karaoke club, drinking with customers.

In a smoke-filled, dimly-lit private room, Ryan played with a lighter in one hand, his expression full of amusement.

But when a companion’s hand slid to her waist, he strode over and took her out without a word.

"Why are you doing this?"

"I didn’t have a choice."

"Short on cash?"

Scarlett stayed silent.

Ryan: "How much do you need?"

Ryan never asked about her past or reasons—his decisiveness was like a lifeline, preserving her dignity and pulling her out of the muck.

When there is nowhere to turn, Scarlett had no choice but to seize that lifeline.

"I’ll pay you back."

Ryan let out a low, soft chuckle. "You don’t have to. Pay me back in some other way."

At twenty, Ryan was tall, long-legged, and striking—with his wickedly handsome features and roguish, smiling eyes, he was every inch a charming prince.

With a man like that, even the slightest hint of kindness or gentleness could sweep any woman off her feet.

Especially an eighteen-year-old Scarlett.

Ryan had never touched her. She thought it was because he treasured her. She had never expected that, years later, she would hear him say with his own mouth, that she was dirty.

The memories were like a dull knife, slicing her open bit by bit.

Scarlett lowered her eyes and spoke softly: "It’s over between us. There’s no way back. Ryan, you and I don’t even come from the same world. Forcing it won’t end well."

Ryan clamped his hold on her. "What if I insist on forcing it?"

Scarlett lifted her gaze and looked him straight in the eyes. "I don’t mind going down with you. My life’s already worthless, but the Fords’ Second Son’s life—do I really need to say how much it’s worth?"

Something bleak flashed through Ryan’s eyes.

Just when Scarlett thought he would let go, Ryan suddenly scooped her up and pressed her onto the bed.

"Why should any other man touch you?"

Ryan pinned down her legs, looming over her.

His fingers traced over her bloodless lips.

Scarlett felt his intent and her expression changed dramatically. "Ryan, you’re a lawyer. You know better than me—you’re committing a crime. Rape!"

Ryan stared down at her with icy calm. "Of course, I’m a lawyer. I know exactly what to do, so that it proves you wanted it as much as I did."

Scarlett’s heart turned to ashes.

The Ryan who once reached out and saved her—that man was dying, little by little.

As a knocking sounded again, Ryan tore open Scarlett’s blouse.

Ryan ignored it completely.

After two minutes, someone opened the door from the outside.

Julian Ford stood in the doorway. The instant he saw Scarlett pinned beneath Ryan on the bed—Ryan’s legs straddling her waist, head lowered to kiss her—

Julian sent away the manager who’d come to open the door.

At the same time, he grabbed a teacup from the side table, tossed it without hesitation, smashing it right against Ryan’s forehead. The cup rolled off, smashed to pieces on the ground.

The metallic scent of blood spread through the air.

Julian’s expression remained calm, but the sharp chill he gave off was suffocating.

"Ryan." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

His voice was deep and cold, laced with pressure.

Ryan froze; Scarlett seized the chance to escape, grabbing the nearest thing—Julian’s suit jacket—to cover her exposed body.

Ryan frowned, about to snatch it away.

Julian’s voice was icy. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?"

Ryan ignored him, turning his head to look at Scarlett.

Her hair was a mess, tumbled over her shoulders, her eyes red but without tears; the pale skin near her jaw was flushed where he’d gripped her.

The look in her eyes held no fear, no anger—just dead ashes.

Ryan was stunned, hoarsely, "Scarlett, I’m sorry..."

Scarlett: "Get out."

Guilt flashed across Ryan’s face. He got up and walked slowly to the door, locking eyes with Julian.

His gaze drifted down to the bag in Julian’s hand.

Ryan noticed several packs of women’s items inside, his heart twisting strangely.

He could hardly believe his own brother would buy these kinds of things for a woman.

Julian placed the shopping bag on the table in Scarlett’s room, never once looking her way, closing the door behind him without turning back.

In the moonlight, two equally tall men stood face to face outside the hotel. Ryan lit a cigarette, his whole demeanor restless and agitated.

Julian watched him calmly. "If you’re playing, at least play with the right attitude. Chasing someone all the way to Hibiscus City and almost committing a crime—have you lost your mind?"

Ryan couldn’t be bothered to explain that he was in Hibiscus City on a case and just happened to book the same hotel and run into Scarlett.

"Julian, I’m done playing."

Ryan’s gaze flickered.

"I want to be serious."

Julian said nothing.

His black eyes fixed on Ryan for a long time. He lit a cigarette and said flatly, "Have you forgotten why you approached her in the first place, and what you did to her family?"

Ryan stayed silent, but there was a fierce struggle in his eyes.

Julian glanced at the bleeding cut on Ryan’s brow. "Go to the hospital and get that treated. Tomorrow’s the family banquet—come up with a good excuse for yourself."

Whether Ryan listened or not, he left in silence.

After finishing his cigarette, Julian turned and went back into the hotel. As he passed Scarlett’s room, he paused briefly but did not stop.

Scarlett took a long shower in her room.

She’d never imagined there would come a day when Ryan’s touch would make her feel sick.

Inside the bag Julian had left, besides sanitary pads, there was a new dress—simple in style, but at a price Scarlett couldn’t usually afford.

Scarlett calculated the total, gritted her teeth, and sent a transfer to Julian Ford.

She added: Thank you, President Ford.

By the next morning, Julian hadn’t accepted the money nor replied to her message.

Scarlett didn’t know Julian’s room number, and calling him on WhatsApp voice was too much.

She could only scroll through DingTalk, to see if there was a number for Julian Ford.

Once she found it, Scarlett dialed. When someone answered, she asked in a gentle voice, "President Ford, is it all right to reschedule the flight for noon?"

It was already ten—it’d be just right to head for the airport.

"Who’s this?"

The response was a woman’s voice, sharp and proud, full of haughty command.

Scarlett was stunned for a second, then glanced at her screen to check—she hadn’t dialed the wrong number.