Unexpected Second Chance at Love

In another part of Imperial, a high-pitched scream can be heard from inside a white two-story Mediterranean-style home, followed by the shattering of glass. Inside, Ji Chu Hua sat on her bed with her nails digging into her palms. Her chest heaved with heaviness as she glared at her new phone, which on the screen showcased the latest news.

'Han Yue Ling liked a comment.'

'The beautiful supermodel has stepped out from her private life.'

'After no signs of an update, will Imperial finally have an update about retired supermodel Han Yue Ling and business tycoon Lu Tian's engagement and wedding?"

Ji Chu Hua inhaled a shaky breath and pressed her lips tightly together. She was still angry and annoyed that the media still had the photos of Gu Ting Fei and her up, but what made her furious even more was that while she was hiding in anger, Yue Ling made one tiny move, and the world worshipped her.

Not only that, but her photos, which once shook Imperial, were now replaced with pictures of Yue Ling and Lu Tian.

She was thankful that those invasive photos of her were no longer in the public's interest. However, why couldn't the woman next to Lu Tian in the pictures be her instead of Yue Ling?

Her finger curled tighter into her palms, drawing a hint of blood that did not pain her.

"Han Yue Ling. Why is it always you? Why do you always get in my way?"

*Ring ring

Her phone rings beside her, and she looks down at the name on the screen. Seeing that it is someone from her PR team, she answers the call.

"I hope you have some good news for me?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, but her tone was so vicious that the person calling hesitated before answering.

["Miss Ji… the thing is, we can't find who leaked the photos. We were able to cover it up with the update of—"]

"How can you be so stupid?!"

The sweetness in her voice disappears, and she screams into the phone.

"I paid you to remove those photos, not let it be covered up! Especially not with something that involves that bitch!"

["But we tried. It was just—"]

"I don't care that you tried. I pay you for this and this only. I need those photos gone. I don't want anyone to be able to pull those photos up in the future. Do you know what that will do to me? To everything I worked so hard on?!"

["Miss Ji, please reassure. We will—"]

"If you can't take photos in 30 minutes, I don't need someone so useless like you!"

Her scream echoes inside the room, and she abruptly hangs up the call.

"Imbecile."

She slams her phone on the bed and raises her right hand. She bits in her nails and thinks of what to do.

How can she fix this mess and get rid of Yue Ling?

She needs to be discreet because most of Imperial's affluent families already know that Yue Ling is Grandfather Ji's granddaughter and the CEO of De L'amour. She can't have anything traced back to her.

If it comes to money, she has more than enough to hire someone to get the job done. However, who would do it? Who is willing to get rid of someone as influenced as Yue Ling?

Thinking this, she thought about the one person she could turn to to get rid of people.

She picks up her phone and scrolls through her contact list. Her finger hovers over the contact listed as Sun, but she bites her lips.

The last time they met, she had made arrangements for him. If she calculates the time frame, he won't be able to help her for a while.

Her eyes narrow at the name before she remembers another person. She scrolls away from Choi Li Sun's name and presses another name.

The call rings twice before a groggy man's voice can be heard from the other line.

["What do you want, Hua?"]

Ji Chu Hua's expression darkens at how the man spoke to her. Everyone in Imperial always talked with her in high regard, yet this man never cared.

However, knowing she needed his help, she breathes to calm herself.

A gentle smile curls on her lips and softens her voice even more.

"I need you to do something for me."

["Hmf, now you need me? Considering how famous you've been in the media, I thought you've forgotten about me."]

Ji Chu Hua's eyes flash dangerously, reminded of her latest scandal in the media. She wanted nothing but to enter the phone and beat the man to death. However, she maintains her composure.

"How can I forget about you? I've just been busy with work. Besides, those photos were photoshopped. Someone wants to ruin my image, and you know me. Am I really one to run out in public naked? That would ruin my whole career."

The man on the other line doesn't respond, but his breathing can be heard, following the sound of shuffling as if he is getting up.

["So. What do you want?"]

One corner of Ji Chu Hua's lips curls up, turning her gentle smile into a smirk.

"I'll send you my plan, but don't act yet. Wait for my call."

["Is this person dangerous?"]

"Of course not."

Ji Chu Hua laughs at the thought of Yue Ling being a dangerous person. If anything, she is more dangerous than a good-for-nothing retired supermodel.

"She is part of Imperial's affluent family."

When wealth is mentioned, the man on the other line makes a sinister laugh.

["I see. One of those spoiled rich brats."]

The man pauses and then continues.

["What do I get out of this?"]

"I'll pay you however much you want."

Ji Chu Hua answers with confidence. She has money, and money can always solve problems as long as you have connections.

["Hua, you know I need more than just money."]

Hearing this, her grip on the phone tightens.

"Fine. I'll meet you at the usual place in an hour."

["Hahah. Funny enough, I'm already here. I'll see you soon then. Don't forget the payment."]

Without waiting for her to respond, the man ends the call just as a woman's voice can be heard before the call disconnects.

Ji Chu Hua scoffs at the blank screen and sets her phone down. She couldn't believe the man picked up her call while he was with another woman.

However, she has to keep herself calm because she needs his help.

She gets up from her bed and walks to her walk-in closet.

Despite her closet being destroyed from her anger at Yue Ling's dress, she could pull out an expensive white dress.

She puts it on, then reaches for a pair of white strapped heels before putting on a beige fur coat.

Taking a glance at the ruined dress that she took from Yue Ling, a plan pops up in her head. She scoffs a smirk and turns away.

Walking out of her room, she runs into her father.

"Hua, sweetheart, where are you going?"

She smiles at her father and takes his hand.

"I'm just going to see a friend. I might be back late, so don't wait up for me."

Ji Shao An didn't think too much of his daughter's words and nodded.

"Alright. Don't stay out too late, and be careful. The media had been crazy outside. They seem to have left today, but there might be a few hiding somewhere."

He walked away, heading for his room, not knowing what she was planning to do. He didn't know that the media that once camped outside was all because of her.

Ji Chu Hua watches her father disappear into his room and silently scoffs. Her father is undoubtedly a greedy man, but he has a limit to everything. His greed is only to be rich, but he has never crossed the line of no return.

Others often say she takes after her father, but she is more like her mother. Her mother taught her everything from a young age. The one thing that stuck with her was that if something was in her way, all she had to do was get rid of it.

She stares at the door to her father's room and sometimes feels pity for her father. He never knew, even after death, that his beloved wife had countless affairs behind his back. She even witnessed a few of the affairs, but her mother always knew how to coax her.

On her mother's deathbed, she swore never to tell a soul.

Shaking this thought away, she turns around and makes her way to the stairs. She put on a face mask and sunglasses before stepping outside.

Seeing the media no longer outside her gate, she quickly enters her white Mercedes.

She messages the man she called to let him know she is on her way and drives away from her house.