The Alchemists

The Brilliant Mind Media building was already full of journalists for L's press conference. This was the first time the girl had opened up to respond to all the rumors that had been attacking her so far.

Usually, L was always closed and kept her private life private. She never wanted to refute nor confirm any gossip circulating about her. This made many people very curious. Now, they wanted to know what L had to say in response to the latest scandal that she was married to her childhood fiance and had a child with him.

The press conference was also broadcasted live through the Virconnect space. Since L was a Virconnect ambassador, the event caught the attention of many users. They already knew that all the artists representing Virconnect were famous artists with a good reputation, so this scandal made them wonder whether L will lose her contract or not.

"Everyone, welcome. Thank you for taking the time to listen to what we have to say about the scandal that recently circulated regarding our very important artist." Patricia Loew, Public Relations Director for Brilliant Mind Media, raised her hand and gave a signal to the audience to be quiet because she was about to start the press conference. "I'll give Pammy the time to discuss the most recent scandal, and then we will hear L's response directly."

Everyone present suddenly became quiet and focused on the table in front where Patricia Loew, Pammy, L, and two male members of Brilliant Mind Media's top management were sitting.

"Thank you, Patricia. I'll just start and discuss it quickly because, from the beginning, L didn't consider those rumors important. Okay ..." Pammy glanced at L. After seeing L nodded in agreement, Pammy took out her tablet and checked the list of gossips circulating online about L. "Let's discuss the first rumor. L is rumored to be in contact with many men. L, is that true?"

L shook her head. "No. I'm still very young and have never been in a relationship with anyone ... until last year."

Instantly the atmosphere turn buzzing with people talking with each other. L indirectly said that since last year she had been in contact with a man. But who? The girl had never openly acknowledged being in a relationship with anyone.

"All right. Now, the second rumor. You were said to be in a relationship with Kitaro from the Rainfall band. How do you respond to it?" Pammy asked again, reading the second gossip on her tablet.

L shook her head again. "Kitaro is a good friend of mine. We have worked a lot together, making music. A few months ago, we also toured together because I opened for their concerts in Europe. Kitaro is a very good person, and he doesn't deserve to be involved in a cheap gossip that would ruin his name."

The girl's eyes glared as she looked at the camera. "Kitaro, I'm sorry. You became involved in this gossip."

The audience was buzzing again. This second rumor was also denied by L. Then, who was the man that she claimed to have a relationship with since last year? They couldn't wait to hear the answer.

London, who had just arrived at the Brilliant Mind Media building, rushed into the press conference room and slipped in between the crowds near the door. He watched L's expression almost without blinking. His wife looked exhausted and London understood how the quiet and introverted girl most hated crowds, especially people who were hungry for gossip about her.

He understood why L always strictly kept her private life private and never responded to any gossip before. If it wasn't for that, London would have gone forward and admitted to the world that L was his wife. However, he could only stand behind and provide support from afar.

He could imagine the uproar if they found out she was married to London Schneider. All her achievements and talents would be buried under the shadows of Schneider family's name because people would think she could be who she was now thanks to the support of her husband.

"Alright ... is that clear? Now, let's move on to go to the next gossip." Pammy continued reading from her tablet. "L was rumored to be pregnant and give birth a few months ago. Is that true?"

She turned to L, who looked at all the journalists and nodded firmly.

"That's right, and I've confirmed this to Masawe Richards from Luxe Magazine."

Again there was a commotion among the audience. Many people raised their hands to ask this clarification further, but Patricia Loew had firmly raised her hand again and asked everyone to be quiet.

"Be patient. L will answer everything one by one," she said.

The audience returned to order. Before Pammy continue reading the next points on her tablet, L touched her hand and gave a signal to Pammy to let L talk more.

"I want to emphasize that it is not gossip, but the truth. I am married and we have a child who is very precious to me. I do not want to disclose their identities to the public because I want to protect them from becoming the target of gossip and abuse from gossip chasers like you, like what you did to me."

The girl spoke in her melodious voice and managed to amaze everyone to listen without interrupting her. "I don't know who spread the gossip, but I hope the news about my husband and child stops here. You just need to know that we love each other and are very happy."

As she said in her last sentence, L's gaze collided with London's. The man was standing at the end of the room, looking at her with a smiling, loving face. Subconsciously, a smile appeared on the girl's lips and her face flushed red as London mouthed the words 'I love you'.

This moment was captured by many cameras. Because L rarely smiled, except when she appeared for work, so many journalists called her Snow White, because of her cold attitude. Sometimes, she also came across as unfriendly.

Some sharp journalists immediately followed L's gaze and looked back, but they did not see anyone. London had slipped out quickly.

Only Patricia Loew could see his figure behind the journalists and the woman's eyes went round in surprise. She glanced at L and was stunned to see the girl smile towards the mysterious, handsome young man just now. When Patricia turned back toward the door, London Schneider had disappeared.

"Well, the next rumor that L wants to respond to is about a one-sided claim from someone who said to be L's fiancé since childhood and is now her husband." Pammy had returned to her tablet and read the next point.

This time L shook her head. "That's not true. I can make sure that Daniel Swann is a wicked liar."

Again, there was a commotion among the journalists. L was firm and instead looked very annoyed, by this last gossip.

So, L claimed to be married and have a child at a very young age, but not to Daniel Swann?

Then why would a wealthy and respected young man like Daniel Swann spread the lie? Is he a fan who was obsessed too much?

"Danny's grandfather made a will that his grandson must marry me so that he could get all the inheritance from his grandfather, George Swann. This is George Swann's payback to my grandfather, for saving his life once. The will says that if I refused to marry his grandson, then George Swann will give me half of his inheritance to return the favor."

L look pursed her lips when talking about Danny Swann. "Danny tried everything he could to not lose half of his grandfather's assets, including by lying and faking my marriage with him. To be honest, I have nothing to do with Danny Swann."