Undercover billionaire and the bakery bandit.

red the sky, and the city began to stir. A cool breeze and a light mist hung over the streets

ants that day. The pressure of the world seemed to bear down on her, and concerns flooded her mind. The late bills rested on the counter,

pressing the dough with more force. "You'v

inking it might be a delivery or her regular early customers. But it was Al

wide smile, the kind that seemed

en aback to see him. "You showed

as he walked further into the bakery ey

our from her hands. "Most people

th a wink walking around the counter to join h

oclaimed 'artist' understood what he was getting into. B

a pile of boxes near the door. "The flour's in the bi

id with a nod and beg

or. Something about him seemed off, but she couldn't identify what. He appeared too refined too well-groomed to

dmother's old butter knife, which she used to cut fancy cakes, wasn't there. Her heart ra

Addie said looking a

of flour, looked up.

sounding worried. "It was he

where?" Alex asked pu

ng more to herself than to him. "I don

g with concern as he noticed the stress i

had vanished. A measuring cup disappeared last week, a baking sheet the w

er voice even. "But it doesn't sit right with m

. "Do you suspect someon

d as her thoughts raced considering what this could me

se by and had watched her business since learning about her troubles. He'd made sev

be trying to ruin you?" Al

is guy-Michael-who owns another bakery in the area. He's been pre

hink he'd do this? Steal fro

assume, but something doesn't add up. First the it

t," Alex said catching her off

ebrow. "What will you do?

n help more than you'd expect Addie. I know peop

lex wasn't telling her everything. "What makes yo

pushed around," Alex replied . "And perh

but also kept her cautious. But at this point, she had few choices. And if Alex could assist

I won't promise anything. If I discover

hands in defea

t the old woman who entered . "Good morning, Mrs. Harris," Add

e's toughness attracted him. She showed grit, resolve, and fierce protection of her bakery. Anyone could

fatigue crept into Addie's bones. She pau

," Alex remarked

said smiling . "This bakery is my everything

ng its warmth envelop him. "Have yo

rritation. "I'm just scraping by right now. If business does

ie's resolve, resonated with him. He didn't think he'd care this much

ted on the counter. She picked it up, her

" Alex asked notici

ounter. "Another invoice. I'm late on my

. "How much

assaging her temples. "I'll

She struggled, reluctant to admit it. Th

x said catching them bot

rowing. "What do you mean by 'we'? Yo

er. "But I'm here now. And I won't just watc

to tell him to back off, that she didn't need his help,

pause. "But don't get any id

n't dream of taking

as happening. The missing knife, the looming bills, and now this