Unexpected Second Chance at Love

Chapter 1067: A Betrayal Closer Than Blood

The afternoon sun cast a pale glow over the snow-covered grounds of Ji Mansion.

Beyond the towering iron gates, the estate stood in its usual grandeur, surrounded by rows of trees still dusted with snow.

Several soldiers patrolled the perimeter, their dark uniforms contrasting against the white landscape.

The soldier stationed at the main entrance straightened when he spotted a familiar black Maserati approaching.

Recognizing the vehicle, he immediately signaled for the gates to open.

As Lu Tian drove past, the two men exchanged a silent nod.

The soldier returned to his post while the Maserati continued along the winding driveway.

Lu Tian’s expression remained unreadable.

One hand rested on the steering wheel while the other lay near the folder on the passenger seat.

He had spent the entire drive considering how to approach the conversation awaiting him.

Grandfather Ji was not a man easily shaken.

Having served as Imperial’s General for decades, the old man had witnessed more bloodshed, betrayal, and loss than most people could imagine.

Yet the information Lu Tian carried concerned the people Grandfather Ji treasured most.

And that made it different.

The Maserati eventually stopped in front of the mansion.

Lu Tian cut the engine, reached for the folder, and stepped out.

A cold breeze swept across the driveway, stirring the edges of his dark coat.

He closed the car door and made his way toward the entrance.

Housekeeper Hu was already waiting beneath the covered entryway.

Upon seeing Lu Tian approach, the older man greeted him with a respectful bow.

"Mr. Lu, it’s good to see you."

Lu Tian nodded.

"Housekeeper Hu."

"Master Ji is in his study waiting for you."

"Thank you."

Housekeeper Hu stepped aside and opened the door.

Lu Tian entered the mansion, where the familiar warmth of the interior greeted him.

The faint scent of tea lingered in the air, accompanied by the distant sounds of soldiers moving through the estate.

Without wasting time, he climbed the staircase and headed toward Grandfather Ji’s study.

The door was open when he arrived.

Inside, Grandfather Ji sat behind his large wooden desk, while Ji Jingxu occupied one of the chairs nearby.

At the old man’s feet lay Inu.

The white Samoyed had been resting comfortably, his fluffy head nestled against his front paws.

However, the moment Lu Tian approached the doorway, Inu’s ears perked up.

His nose twitched.

Then his head shot up.

Recognizing the familiar scent, the Samoyed sprang to his feet.

His tail began wagging enthusiastically.

For a brief moment, his entire body seemed to tremble with excitement.

But when his dark eyes landed on the tall figure standing in the doorway, the excitement abruptly faded.

Inu looked past Lu Tian.

Then toward the hallway.

Then back at Lu Tian.

His tail slowed.

A small whimper escaped him.

Lu Tian stopped just inside the study.

The two stared at each other.

Inu’s ears drooped.

He turned his head away.

Lu Tian narrowed his eyes.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Ji Jingxu looked up from his seat then he noticed Inu’s reaction.

A grin immediately spread across his face.

"Looks like someone was expecting a different visitor."

Lu Tian scoffed. He knew perfectly well who the dog had been expecting.

"Your favorite human isn’t here."

Inu gave another disappointed whimper.

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

"If you want to see her, you’ll have to come home with me."

The Samoyed’s ears twitched.

For a moment, he appeared to consider the offer.

Then, without warning, he turned and trotted toward Grandfather Ji.

He circled in front of the old man’s chair once before settling at his feet.

With a satisfied huff, Inu lowered his head onto his paws.

His decision was final.

Lu Tian stared at him.

"..."

Ji Jingxu burst into laughter.

Even Grandfather Ji couldn’t suppress his amusement.

The old man reached down and patted Inu’s fluffy head.

"Looks like he’s decided to stay with me a little longer."

Lu Tian shook his head.

"Ungrateful beast."

Inu merely closed his eyes.

Ji Jingxu laughed harder.

"Brother-in-law, I think he heard you."

"Good."

Lu Tian stepped farther into the room.

"He can stay here until he remembers who buys his food."

Grandfather Ji chuckled.

"Don’t threaten the little fellow. He’s been keeping this old man company."

Lu Tian’s gaze shifted toward him.

The old man looked comfortable in his chair, dressed in a dark cardigan over a neatly pressed shirt.

Although his expression was cheerful, Lu Tian noticed the faint weariness around his eyes.

He also remembered what Grandfather Ji had said over the phone.

The old man had been at the hospital earlier for a checkup.

Lu Tian silently took note of it.

Grandfather Ji smiled.

"It’s good to see you, Lu boy."

He gestured toward the chairs.

"Did you and Ah Ling have a good trip to City Z?"

He had intended to call his granddaughter earlier and ask about her visit.

However, his scheduled hospital appointment had taken longer than expected.

By the time he was returning home, Lu Tian had already contacted him.

Lu Tian nodded.

"Everything went well."

"That’s good."

The old man’s expression softened.

"Did she enjoy herself?"

"She did."

A faint smile appeared on Lu Tian’s face.

"She was happy to see everyone."

Grandfather Ji nodded with satisfaction.

He knew the trip had been important to Yue Ling.

City Z held memories of both the happiest and most painful years of her life.

He had worried that returning there, especially so close to her wedding, might reopen wounds she had worked hard to heal.

But hearing that she had enjoyed herself brought him relief.

"I’m glad."

His gaze then shifted toward the folder in Lu Tian’s hand.

The smile remained, although a trace of curiosity entered his eyes.

Lu Tian turned toward the younger man.

"Jingxu."

Ji Jingxu immediately understood.

He glanced at the folder, then at his grandfather.

Whatever Lu Tian had come to discuss, it was clearly not something meant for him to hear.

He rose from his chair.

"Alright, alright. I get it."

He looked down at the Samoyed.

"Inu, let’s go."

Inu opened one eye. He looked at Ji Jingxu then up at Grandfather Ji.

After a moment, he closed his eye again.

Ji Jingxu stared at him.

"Seriously?"

Grandfather Ji laughed and gave Inu another gentle pat.

"Go on. I’ll be fine."

Only then did the Samoyed lift his head.

He rose reluctantly, stretched his front legs, and padded toward Ji Jingxu.

The young man shook his head.

"Unbelievable."

He walked toward the door with Inu following behind.

Just as he was about to close it, his voice drifted back into the study.

"I’m the one always sneaking you snacks, and you won’t even listen to me?"

A soft bark answered him.

"Don’t argue with me. You know it’s true."

The door closed.

Grandfather Ji chuckled.

"Those two..."

His amusement lingered for another moment before he turned his attention back to Lu Tian.

"Have a seat."

Lu Tian approached the desk and settled into the chair opposite him.

Grandfather Ji leaned back.

"Now, tell me. What brings you here so suddenly?"

His gaze moved over the younger man’s face.

Lu Tian had always been difficult to read.

Even as a child, he rarely allowed his emotions to interfere with his judgment.

But Grandfather Ji had known him since he was young.

He recognized the subtle differences in his expression.

And today, something was troubling him.

The old man narrowed his eyes.

"I’m assuming Ah Ling doesn’t know you’re here."

Lu Tian had just placed the folder on his lap when he heard the question.

He sighed quietly.

"She doesn’t."

Grandfather Ji raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Lu Tian met his gaze.

The old man leaned forward.

"Did you do something wrong?"

Lu Tian paused.

"..."

Grandfather Ji’s eyes narrowed further.

"The wedding is only days away, and you suddenly come looking for me without my granddaughter?"

He folded his arms.

"Don’t tell me you’ve done something you don’t want her to find out about."

Lu Tian looked at him without flinching.

"I would never do anything to harm Yue Ling."

His answer came calmly, without the slightest hesitation.

Grandfather Ji studied him for another moment then he leaned back.

"Hmph. You’d better not."

Lu Tian placed the folder on the desk.

"I’m here because I need everything you have on Choi Li Sun."

The atmosphere changed.

Grandfather Ji’s expression immediately grew serious.

His gaze dropped to the folder before returning to Lu Tian.

"Choi Li Sun?"

"Yes."

The old man’s brows drew together.

"Why?"

He paused.

"Haven’t you already gathered your own information on him?"

Grandfather Ji was well aware that Lu Tian had been investigating Choi Li Sun for years.

The young man possessed resources that even some government departments could not easily access.

For him to come asking for information meant something had changed.

Lu Tian slid the folder across the desk.

"Read it."

Grandfather Ji looked at the folder then at Lu Tian.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Suddenly, the old man laughed.

"You brat."

Lu Tian remained expressionless.

Grandfather Ji shook his head in amusement.

"Do you know how many people would dare speak to me that way?"

"Not many."

"And yet here you are, ordering me around in my own study."

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

"Would you prefer I ask politely?"

Grandfather Ji scoffed.

"Too late for that."

Despite his words, there was no anger in his voice.

He had personally trained Lu Tian since the boy was five years old.

He knew his temperament better than most.

And if there was one thing he had learned over the years, it was that Lu Tian rarely wasted words when something important required his attention.

"Fine."

Grandfather Ji reached for the folder.

He paused before opening it.

"Although I can assure you, whatever is in here is probably something I’ve already uncovered."

Lu Tian said nothing.

The old man opened the folder.

At first, his expression remained composed.

He read through the initial reports, occasionally turning a page or examining a photograph.

Then his eyes stopped on a particular document.

His brows slowly furrowed.

He continued reading.

The amusement that had lingered on his face disappeared.

A heavy silence settled over the study.

Lu Tian watched without interrupting.

Grandfather Ji turned another page.

Then another.

His fingers tightened around the edges of the paper.

By the time he reached the report concerning Lee Shin’s death, the color had begun to drain from his face.

His eyes moved across the details of the investigation.

The altered brakes.

The surveillance records.

The connections leading back to Choi Li Sun.

The carefully arranged circumstances surrounding the accident.

For a long moment, he stared at the final page.

Then he slowly raised his head.

"This..."

His voice was barely audible.

He swallowed.

"Is this true?"

Lu Tian nodded.

"It is."

Grandfather Ji looked down at the report again.

His lips parted, but no words came.

Lu Tian’s expression remained grave.

"Lee Shin’s death was orchestrated."

The old man’s hand trembled.

"On his wedding day..."

"Yes."

Grandfather Ji closed his eyes briefly.

He remembered that day.

He remembered the devastating news.

And most of all, he remembered what losing Lee Shin had done to Yue Ling.

The young man had loved his granddaughter for ten years.

Despite his weak heart and the hardships he had endured, Lee Shin had remained devoted to her.

He had been preparing to marry her.

To build a life with her.

And someone had deliberately taken that future away.

Grandfather Ji opened his eyes.

"Choi Li Sun..."

The name left his mouth with restrained fury.

Lu Tian continued.

"Qin Jun, Song Jing Li, and Kira have been investigating his death. Their involvement in the current case is connected to what happened three years ago."

Grandfather Ji lowered the papers.

His expression was difficult to describe.

There was grief.

Disbelief.

And beneath it all, a cold anger that Lu Tian recognized immediately.

"What does this mean?" the old man asked.

Lu Tian leaned forward slightly.

"Do you remember the night I found you meeting in secret?"

Grandfather Ji looked at him.

Lu Tian continued.

"You told me the last confirmed sighting of Choi Li Sun was at a surgical establishment."

The old man nodded slowly.

He remembered.

His men had followed Choi Li Sun to a private medical facility.

They had watched the entrances and waited for him to emerge.

But the man had vanished.

Despite their surveillance, no one had seen him leave.

At the time, Grandfather Ji had assumed Choi Li Sun had escaped through an underground passage or used another concealed exit.

It had been the last reliable lead his men obtained.

"Yes," he answered. "What about it?"

Lu Tian reached into his coat and retrieved his phone.

He opened the photograph Xu Long had given him.

Then he placed the device on the desk and slid it toward the old man.

"He changed his appearance."

Grandfather Ji frowned.

He set the folder aside and picked up the phone.

The moment his eyes landed on the screen, his entire body went rigid.

His breath caught.

For several seconds, he did not move.

Then his fingers began to tremble.

"This..."

His voice faltered.

He brought the phone closer.

His eyes widened as he examined the man’s face.

"No..."

He shook his head.

"No, this can’t be..."

Lu Tian remained silent.

Grandfather Ji stared at the photograph.

The familiar features.

The shape of the eyes.

The nose.

The jawline.

Every detail was painfully recognizable.

It was a face he had seen countless times.

A face that had once smiled at his granddaughter with warmth and affection.

A face that should have belonged to a man who had been dead for three years.

"Lee Shin..."

The name escaped his lips in disbelief.

Lu Tian’s jaw tightened.

"Choi Li Sun underwent surgery to resemble him."

Grandfather Ji slowly shook his head.

His eyes moved over the photograph again.

If he had not known Choi Li Sun so well, he might have believed the man in the picture was Lee Shin.

But there was one detail the surgery had not concealed.

The scar.

A jagged mark extending from above the right eye toward the cheek.

Grandfather Ji knew that scar.

And he knew who had inflicted it.

His gaze snapped toward Lu Tian.

"That scar..."

"I gave it to him."

The old man’s expression darkened.

"Then why didn’t he remove it?"

Lu Tian’s eyes grew cold.

"That’s what I intend to find out."

Grandfather Ji looked back at the photograph.

A skilled surgeon could have removed the scar during the reconstruction.

Yet Choi Li Sun had chosen to keep it.

The decision made the resemblance even more disturbing.

It was as though the man wanted to be recognized.

Wanted someone to know that beneath Lee Shin’s stolen face was the very person responsible for his death.

Grandfather Ji’s grip tightened around the phone.

"What kind of despicable joke is this...?"

His voice carried a quiet fury.

Lu Tian did not answer.

There was nothing he could say that would make the truth less horrifying.

The old man stared at the photograph for several more seconds.

Then a sudden thought struck him.

His eyes widened.

He looked up.

"Ah Ling..."

Lu Tian’s expression changed slightly.

Grandfather Ji swallowed.

"Does she know?"

Lu Tian shook his head.

"No."

The old man slowly lowered the phone.

His shoulders sank.

For the first time since Lu Tian entered the study, Grandfather Ji appeared every bit his age.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as though searching for an explanation that did not exist.

How could this be?

The man responsible for the deaths of his daughter, son-in-law, and dearest friend was now wearing the face of the young man who had loved his granddaughter for ten years.

Ji An Ling.

Han Min Joon.

Old Han.

Lee Shin.

One by one, the names surfaced in his mind.

People whose lives had been stolen.

People whose deaths had left wounds that time had never completely healed.

And at the center of it all was Choi Li Sun.

Grandfather Ji slowly closed his eyes.

He remembered every year Yue Ling had spent struggling with Lee Shin and her family’s death.

He remembered how she had tried to remain strong while silently carrying her grief.

He remembered the way her smile had changed.

And now, just when she had finally found happiness again...

The man who had destroyed so much of her life had returned wearing the face of someone she once loved.

The old man’s hands curled into fists.

"That bastard..."

The words were spoken quietly.

But the anger beneath them was unmistakable.

Lu Tian allowed him a moment. He knew the information had shaken Grandfather Ji.

Yet there was still something else he needed to reveal.

Something that could place the danger much closer to their family.

"There’s more."

Grandfather Ji opened his eyes.

Lu Tian’s expression was grave and the old man slowly straightened.

"Go on."

"The other night, Gui Zhongmin went to Glory."

Grandfather Ji listened.

"He encountered Choi Li Sun there."

The old man’s eyes narrowed.

"Glory?"

Lu Tian nodded.

"There was an altercation, but Choi Li Sun managed to escape."

Grandfather Ji’s expression hardened.

"So he’s already moving around."

"Yes."

"And no one knows where he’s staying?"

"Not yet."

The old man looked down at the phone.

The photograph of Choi Li Sun remained on the screen.

With his altered appearance, the man could move through public places without attracting the attention of anyone searching for his former face.

Grandfather Ji understood immediately how dangerous that made him.

Lu Tian continued.

"Before coming here, I conducted another search using records from the original investigation."

He reached for the folder and opened it to the newly discovered document.

"Choi Li Sun didn’t enter Imperial on his own."

Grandfather Ji looked at the paper.

"Someone helped him?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

Lu Tian tapped a finger against the record.

"The person used the name Hua."

Grandfather Ji’s brows drew together.

"Hua?"

"There’s no photograph or verified identification. I haven’t confirmed whether it’s a real name or an alias."

The old man examined the document.

His gaze lingered on the single name.

"Hua..."

Something unpleasant stirred in his chest.

Lu Tian watched him carefully.

"Does the name mean anything to you?"

Grandfather Ji did not answer immediately.

He continued staring at the record.

Then he slowly raised his eyes.

"What are you implying?"

Lu Tian held his gaze.

"Nothing has been confirmed."

He paused.

"But Xu Long reported something else."

Grandfather Ji waited.

Lu Tian’s voice lowered.

"Ji Chu Hua was seen meeting Choi Li Sun at Glory that same night."

Silence.

The old man’s expression froze.

For a moment, it seemed as though he had not heard correctly.

Then his brows drew together.

"Who?"

"Ji Chu Hua."

Grandfather Ji stared at him.

Lu Tian continued calmly.

"Her presence with Choi Li Sun has been confirmed. Whether she’s the person identified as Hua in the transportation record is still unknown."

The old man’s eyes slowly returned to the document.

Hua.

Ji Chu Hua.

The resemblance between the names was impossible to ignore.

But what disturbed him more was the fact that his granddaughter’s cousin had been seen with Choi Li Sun at all.

Grandfather Ji’s jaw tightened.

"Are you certain they were together?"

"Yes."

"And you have evidence?"

"Xu Long confirmed the encounter through the information gathered by Alpha Team."

Grandfather Ji leaned back.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Lu Tian could see the thoughts moving behind the old man’s eyes.

Ji Chu Hua had already given him countless reasons to question her loyalty.

Her behavior toward Yue Ling.

Her ambition concerning Ji Corps.

Her repeated attempts to involve herself in matters that did not concern her.

And now...

Choi Li Sun.

Grandfather Ji slowly looked toward the window.

Beyond the glass, the winter sunlight illuminated the snow-covered grounds.

Everything outside appeared peaceful.

Yet inside the study, a cold uneasiness settled over him.

His granddaughter was preparing for her wedding.

She was finally looking forward to a future that did not revolve around loss and grief.

And someone bearing the Ji family name might be helping the very man who had destroyed so much of her past.

The old man’s expression gradually changed.

The grief in his eyes receded.

In its place emerged the stern, commanding gaze of the General who had once led thousands of soldiers.

"Lu boy."

Lu Tian straightened slightly.

"Yes?"

Grandfather Ji placed the phone on the desk.

"Tell me everything you know about Ji Chu Hua’s involvement."

Lu Tian studied him.

"There’s something you should understand first."

The old man’s gaze sharpened.

"What?"

"If she is connected to Choi Li Sun, then this may go beyond her involvement with Hung Woo."

Grandfather Ji’s expression darkened.

Lu Tian continued.

"We still don’t know what Choi Li Sun wants. But he has already gone to considerable lengths to conceal his identity and enter Imperial."

He glanced at the photograph.

"And I don’t believe he chose Lee Shin’s face without a reason."

Grandfather Ji’s fingers tightened against the armrests.

"Neither do I."

For a moment, the two men held each other’s gaze.

Neither needed to explain what was at stake.

Yue Ling.

Ji Jingxu.

The Ji family.

And the wedding that was only days away.

Grandfather Ji finally reached toward the desk and pressed a button on the intercom.

A brief crackle sounded.

"Master Ji?"

Housekeeper Hu’s voice answered.

"Have Zhong Yang bring the files from my private cabinet."

"Yes, Master Ji."

Grandfather Ji released the button.

Then he turned back toward Lu Tian.

"You came here asking for everything I have on Choi Li Sun."

Lu Tian nodded.

The old man’s expression grew colder.

"Then you’ll have it."

He glanced at the folder lying open between them.

"But understand something, Lu boy."

Lu Tian remained silent.

Grandfather Ji leaned forward.

"I’ve spent years searching for the man who took my daughter, my son-in-law, and my closest friend from me. I still don’t understand why but..."

His voice was steady, but the pain behind it was unmistakable.

"I never imagined he would also be responsible for Lee Shin’s death."

He paused.

"And I certainly never imagined someone from my own family might be helping him."

Lu Tian met his gaze.

"We don’t know that Ji Chu Hua helped him enter Imperial."

"Not yet."

Grandfather Ji’s eyes narrowed.

"But we know she met him."

"Yes."

The old man slowly nodded.

"Then we start there."

He leaned back in his chair.

For a moment, his gaze drifted toward a framed photograph resting on the corner of his desk.

It showed Ji An Ling and Han Min Joon smiling together.

His expression softened almost imperceptibly.

Then he looked back at Lu Tian.

"Does Ah Ling suspect anything?"

Lu Tian thought of his wife sitting comfortably on the sofa when he left.

The warmth of her smile.

Her disappointment when he told her he needed to step out.

The trust in her eyes when she agreed to stay home.

"For now, she doesn’t."

Grandfather Ji exhaled.

"Good."

Lu Tian’s brows drew together.

"Grandfather."

The old man raised his gaze and Lu Tian continued.

"We cannot keep this from her forever."

Grandfather Ji was silent.

"She deserves to know what happened to her family. And she deserves to know the truth about Lee Shin."

The old man’s expression grew pained.

"I know."

His voice was quieter now.

"I know better than anyone."

He looked toward the window.

For years, he had carried the truth about his daughter’s death, believing that keeping it from Yue Ling would spare her further suffering.

But the secrets had only grown heavier.

And now another tragedy had become entangled with the first.

Grandfather Ji slowly closed his eyes.

"When the time comes, we will tell her what we know."

Lu Tian studied him.

"And until then?"

The old man opened his eyes.

"Until then, we find out exactly who we’re dealing with."

His voice hardened.

"And whether Ji Chu Hua has betrayed this family."

Lu Tian nodded once.

He understood.

Grandfather Ji was not asking him to abandon the truth.

He was asking for enough time to uncover it properly.

The old man looked at the photograph of Choi Li Sun one final time.

A cold light flickered in his eyes.

"That man has taken enough from us."

Lu Tian’s expression remained unreadable.

But his answer came without hesitation.

"Agreed."

Outside, the wind swept across the quiet grounds of Ji Mansion.

Somewhere beyond the study, Ji Jingxu’s laughter could be heard as he argued with Inu.

The familiar sound brought a brief softness to Grandfather Ji’s face.

Then his gaze returned to the documents.

His family was still laughing.

His granddaughter was preparing to marry the man she loved.

And his grandson was finally recovering from the nightmare he had endured.

Grandfather Ji intended to protect that happiness for as long as he could.

But if Ji Chu Hua had truly aligned herself with Choi Li Sun, then the danger threatening his family had come from far closer than he had imagined.

He lowered his gaze to the name printed on the page.

Hua.

For the first time, he wondered whether the enemy he had spent years searching for had been receiving help from someone who had walked through the doors of Ji Mansion all along.