The Alchemists

The next day London had breakfast at the penthouse and started working from there. He had told Jan that he was not going to the office and would work remotely from London. 

Marc was sitting in the corner of the room while reading something. He was ready at any time to carry out his boss's orders if needed. London himself focused on various reports which he had to understand before the upcoming medical conference in Berlin.

While working in the penthouse, London monitored L's activities all day through Dave, who followed the girl everywhere. He learned that L had dine-in breakfast then went out early to a lawyer's office in the city center.

"Hmmm ... maybe she really wanted to claim part of her inheritance from George Swann's will," murmured London. Inwardly, he was not happy to see L receive money or wealth from other people. Still, he knew he had no right to forbid L to do anything she wanted to do.

London could only sigh. He did not know if L would change if she managed to get half of the Swann family's assets. Will wealth make L change?

***

L walked with quick steps into the hotel lobby. Her face was hidden behind a thick scarf and sunglasses. Her hair was fashioned into a small bun above her head, making her look very elegant.

She pushed the baby stroller containing Lily, who was sleeping under a thick blanket. At first glance, the two did not attract attention. However, the check-in staff who checked her into the hotel last night still recognized L even though she tried to hide her face.

The man hurriedly walked over to L and bowed respectfully to her.

"Good afternoon, Madam. Welcome back," the staff greeted her respectfully.

"Good day." L just nodded. She was about to continue her walk to the elevator, but the hotel staff raised his hand and gave a sign for L to follow him. This made L wonder. "Uhm ... what's up, huh? I'm in a hurry."

"I'm sorry, Madam. We didn't recognize you yesterday," the officer said.

"What do you mean? You know who I am. I gave you my identity card ..." said L, who was getting impatient. "Please don't waste my time."

"Ma'am ... no, that's not what I meant. We didn't know that Madam was staying with the little Young Miss of the Schneider family. We were ordered by the boss to upgrade your room. Please don't refuse the upgrade. I will be reprimanded if I don't do my job ..."

Seeing the pleading look on the staff's face, finally, L became impatient. She could guess who was responsible for the upgrade this time. Surely that annoying Santa, she thought.

Didn't I tell you that I don't want to keep accepting favors?

L was surprised to hear her cellphone ring. While walking along with the hotel staff, she opened her cellphone and read the incoming SMS from London Schneider.

[Why didn't you tell me that you are staying at St. Laurent? You and Lily were supposed to stay in the penthouse. If you want to live poorly in a mere deluxe room, don't bring Lily with you. I don't want you to take my daughter only to live a difficult life with you.]

L read the SMS with squinted eyes. She was about to reply to the text, but her attention was diverted by the hotel staff who had given her a new key.

"We will move your belongings to the Presidential Suite soon. You can come with me now, I will take you to the new place."

L could only nod. She put her cellphone away and received a key from the hotel staff without saying anything. L then walked following the staff into the elevator and went up to the 30th floor. After walking down the hall to the end, they arrived in front of a large door.

"Please come in and take a rest. Later, if you need anything, please just press this bell, we will send a butler to help you."

The staff helped L open the door and take her around the 200 square-meter Presidential Suite. Inside, there were 3 bedrooms with a spacious living room, a luxurious dining room, and even a study.

The arrangement was very luxurious and almost as exclusive as the penthouse located on the top floor. The difference was that the penthouse where London was staying now was 600 square meters in size and had a 360-degree view of the outside.

For a moment, L could only stand transfixed. She had never entered a suite as spacious and luxurious as this one. Inwardly, she could only guess how fancy the penthouse London had mentioned in his SMS was.

"Hmm .. thank you. We will take a rest first. Please send our stuff here ..." said L a few moments later after she was able to control herself.

"Of course, Madam. We will deliver your stuff soon."

The hotel staff immediately take his leave, leaving L, who was still amazed at the spacious suite she was occupying.

At the dining table there was a variety of organic fresh fruits, and in the sitting room there was a minibar and fridge containing the most expensive and classy drinks. L sat on the sofa and surveyed her surroundings in awe.

She knew that St. Laurent Hotel was the largest hotel chain in the world and had branches in dozens of major cities in the world. One suite alone already looked so luxurious ... L couldn't imagine how much wealth this family had.

Schneider Group had a hotel chain and dozens of independent hotels and resorts under its flag. Hospitality was only one of their many business lines. They had airlines, investment companies, mining, new and renewable energy companies, transportation, communications, and much more.

So far, L only knew from the outside, based on information she read about the wealthiest people in the world, but she never dreamed she would meet a man from the reclusive Schneider family.

While looking around, L involuntarily held her breath. Her mind immediately felt enlightened, how big was his and London's status difference.

The man was very, very high above her in terms of wealth. Although L worked for many years and already became a very famous superstar, she would not be able to close the gap on her own.

The girl sighed. She recalled their first meeting at a party held by Stephan Zimmerman, that jerk. London Schneider claimed to be Killian Makela. His appearance at that time looked very ordinary, even his clothes looked like a poor man who was trying so hard to look neat at rich people's parties.

The girl swallowed hard as she imagined someone like London Schneider who was very busy taking care of his family business, but he had the chance to disguise himself as a photographer to meet L, so he could make sure L stayed healthy, and her pregnancy was fine.

Thinking of everything that London had done for her, slowly, tears began to drip on L's cheeks. Since there was no one around her and Lily was still sleeping on the stroller, L did not hold back her tears.

Tears were dripping more and more, and slowly she began to sob. Finally, L cupped her face in her palms and cried even more poignantly.

She loved that annoying Santa Claus. London Schneider was the first man to have a special place in her heart. The man also gave her family after she lived alone for eleven years.

L was flattered because such a perfect man fell in love with her and treated her lovingly.

But ... what if he changed his mind again? What if I give my heart completely, and he then realizes that other women are far better than me?

How can I live if that happened?

L incessantly cried until her tears went dry.

London's decision to cancel their wedding plans still left scars in her heart and now she was scared to get hurt again.