The crowd outside Bluebell hit him before he even registered what he was seeing.
Axton's car had just turned onto the quiet stretch of street where the bakery sat, pastel blue and peaceful as always—or it should have been. But today, that peace was shattered. A group of people crowded around the front door, voices raised, phones out, faces twisted with judgment.
His pulse spiked.
"Stop the car," he ordered sharply.
The driver barely managed to pull to the curb before Axton threw the door open and stepped out. The smell of the city's late morning air mingled with the sound of shouting, and his heart sank when he saw the sign above the door. Bluebell Bakes.
Inside, through the wide glass windows, chaos reigned.
Elin stood frozen behind her counter, her flour-dusted apron like a fragile shield. Her hands trembled as she tried to reason with the shouting strangers. Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes, though she was trying desperately to keep them from falling.
He could see it even from where he stood—the way she was cornered, the way her voice barely carried above the accusations.
"You're a liar!" one woman shouted, her phone camera angled cruelly toward Elin's face. "Gordon Ramsay never came here! You're faking it for clout!"
"Yeah, we saw the video online!" another man chimed in, his tone mocking. "Turns out this was all a PR stunt. Paying people to post fake reviews, huh?"
"She's a fraud! You think Gordon Ramsay really came here?"
"She used imported butter that's banned, I read it online!"
"My sister said her friend's cousin saw her throw out expired cream—how can she call this hygiene?"
"Liar! Everything about her is fake!"
"I didn't—please—none of that is true," she stammered, her voice cracking. "I would never use banned ingredients, that's ridiculous! I've never—"
But her words drowned under the noise.
Mrs. Tan and Mrs. Lim stood near the corner, hands on their hips, faces flushed with fury.
"Oi!" Mrs. Tan barked, her voice cutting through the noise. "You all think you so big, come shouting like this at a young girl? You got proof or not?"
"Yah, last week you were queuing for her buns, now you act like you never eat before," Mrs. Lim added, arms crossed. "Aiyo, shame on you!"
Axton didn't think. His body moved before his mind caught up. He pushed through the crowd, the bell above the door jingling weakly as he strode in.
He took one look at Elin, standing small and trembling behind the counter, and every muscle in his jaw went rigid.
"Enough," he said, voice quiet but firm.
The woman with the phone blinked, frowning. "Who are you—"
"I said enough."
There was nothing loud about his tone, but it cut through the air like ice. He stepped between Elin and the crowd, his broad shoulders blocking her from view.
His green eyes swept over the group, cold and sharp. "You all seem very comfortable slandering someone you don't know. Did you even stop to ask for proof before you decided to destroy her name?"
A few people glanced away. Some lowered their phones. But others hesitated, their curiosity outweighing their guilt.
One man muttered, "We just saw what's online."
Axton's gaze landed on him. "And since when does the internet define truth?"
The room fell still.
Behind him, Elin's breathing was uneven. He could hear it—shallow, shaky, too fast. He turned slightly, enough for her to see his profile, his calm but commanding expression. "It's alright," he murmured softly, just for her. "I'm here."
Her hands clenched at her sides, but her eyes—wide and red-rimmed—met his.
"Put the phone down," he said quietly to the woman recording. "Or I'll make sure you and your publication are dealing with my legal team by the end of the day."
The woman's mouth fell open. "We're just—"
"Harassing a small business owner based on a rumour?" His tone sharpened, precise as a scalpel. "You should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you know what libel means?"
Axton's jaw flexed and he continued. "Let me be clear. Gordon Ramsay did visit this bakery. I was there. He praised her work personally." His gaze swept over the group, daring anyone to challenge him. "As for these claims about banned ingredients—every batch of flour, butter, and sugar used here is certified. I have the supplier documentation to prove it."
People started lowering their phones. Someone muttered an apology before slipping out.
Axton turned slightly, placing himself squarely between Elin and the crowd. The tension in his shoulders was visible, but his voice remained controlled. "You all think this is entertainment? Spreading lies about a woman who's done nothing but work herself to exhaustion to bring people joy? Accusing her of using banned ingredients because of something you saw on social media? You have no proof. Just noise."
The crowd shifted uncomfortably, guilt creeping into their expressions.
A heavy silence fell. The woman in the red blazer lowered her phone, eyes darting nervously toward the exit.
Mrs. Tan made a small, satisfied noise. "See lah, talk nonsense only. Go spread your rumours somewhere else."
"Yeah," Mrs. Lim chimed in. "Go buy your sad supermarket bread if you want drama."
Axton's lips twitched faintly, though his eyes never softened. "If I see a single defamatory post about her again, my legal department will handle it personally."
One by one, they began to leave—some muttering excuses, others refusing to meet his eyes. Within moments, the bakery emptied, leaving only the faint hum of the fridge and the scent of sugar and butter hanging heavy in the air.
Axton turned to Elin. The moment their eyes met, the anger in his chest melted into concern. She looked small and shaken, her knuckles white against the counter.
"Elin," he said softly, stepping closer. "Are you hurt?"
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. The moment she tried to speak, the tears she'd been fighting back finally broke free, spilling fast and hot down her cheeks.
"I—" Her voice cracked. "I didn't do anything wrong, Axton. I swear I didn't. I just wanted to bake, that's all. And they..." Her breath hitched, her words tumbling out between shaky sobs. "They called me a liar. Said I used banned ingredients. Said I faked everything. I don't even know where it came from."
Axton closed the distance between them in an instant.
"Elin."
Her name left his lips like a vow. He reached out and cupped the side of her face, his thumb brushing away a tear that immediately returned. "Hey. Look at me."
She tried, but her vision blurred, her chest tight. "I don't understand. I never hurt anyone. Why would they do this?"
Axton gathered her against him, his arms wrapping around her with a quiet protectiveness that made her crumble completely. Her forehead pressed against his chest, and she sobbed—really sobbed, all the fear and humiliation pouring out in raw waves.
Her fingers gripped the front of his shirt like she was afraid he'd vanish too, like this—his warmth, his steadiness—was the only thing keeping her upright. "It's not fair," she whispered between breaths. "I didn't ask for any of this attention. I just wanted to bake."
"I know," he said quietly. "And none of this changes who you are. You hear me? None of it."
The conviction in his tone sank into her like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. She could feel his heartbeat beneath her ear, slow and steady, grounding her when everything else had spun out of control.
When her sobs finally softened to quiet hiccups, Axton loosened his hold just enough to look at her. Her eyes were red, her lashes damp, but even then, she looked heartbreakingly beautiful to him.
He lifted his hand, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I know you didn't do anything wrong. None of this is your fault."
Her lips trembled. "But what if they don't believe me?"
"Then I'll make them believe you." His tone was low, filled with quiet fire. "You have my word."
"I was so scared," she whispered against him. "I didn't know what to do. Everyone was shouting, and they had their phones up, and I—"
One hand came up to cradle the back of her head, his thumb brushing soothingly against her hair. "I've got you," he murmured. "You don't have to explain. I've got you."
"You shouldn't have to fix my problems, Axton."
He gave a faint, rueful smile. "I want to."
Elin's shoulders shook slightly as she wiped at her tears with the edge of her apron. Axton's arms stayed around her, solid and unwavering, but even he knew she needed more than just his protection.
"Aiyo, Elin, you stop crying like that! So unbecoming!" Mrs. Tan's voice was sharp but laced with concern.
Mrs. Lim appeared beside her, hands on her hips. "Aiyo, don't stand there looking like a sad little bun. Let us help you, lah!"
Elin sniffled, trying to straighten up, but her hands still shook. Axton immediately released his hold, giving space as the aunties flanked her.
"Come, come," Mrs. Tan said, gripping Elin's elbow gently. "Let's close the shop together. You can cry all you want while we handle the rest, but you don't have to be alone."
Elin let herself be guided toward the counter, the warmth of their presence softening the tight knot in her chest. She muttered a shaky thanks, cheeks still wet with tears.
Axton stepped back slightly, watching the two older women bustle around with practiced efficiency. Mrs. Lim wiped down the counter while Mrs. Tan swept the floor, all the while chatting in their sing-song tones, teasing her lightly to coax a small smile.
"See, Axton," Mrs. Lim called, nodding at him, "we take care of our girl. She's strong, but even strong girls need a little help sometimes."
He gave a faint smile, his eyes lingering on Elin. She was still fragile from the ordeal, but having the aunties by her side grounded her. He moved around the shop quietly, helping them push tables into place and secure the display cases.
Together, the three of them worked in unspoken harmony. Elin took a deep, shuddering breath and began stacking trays and wiping surfaces, Mrs. Tan guiding her hand where needed. Mrs. Lim checked the locks and adjusted the signage, her tone light as she teased, "Don't worry, Axton, we'll make sure nothing bad happens to our little baker."
Axton's hand brushed against Elin's briefly as he passed, a silent reassurance. She squeezed his hand back for just a moment before turning to continue, her heart steadier with each passing second.
By the time the bakery was properly closed, the air felt lighter. The ovens were off, the counters gleaming, and the doors locked tight. The three of them stepped back, surveying their work. Elin's shoulders were less tense, and though her eyes were still red, there was a spark of resilience returning.
Mrs. Tan patted her cheek firmly. "See, girl? Nothing can break you. Not even those pesky reporters or malicious rumours."
Mrs. Lim added with a nod, "And you've got Axton, lah. Strong man, stubborn like bull. Won't let anyone touch you."
Axton offered a small smile, his green eyes soft but firm. "I'll always stand by you, Elin. No one's hurting you without me knowing about it."
The aunties bade goodbye to them as they left the bakery.
Axton guided Elin out of the bakery, his arm lightly around her shoulders. The afternoon sun had softened, casting a golden hue over the streets, but for Elin, the world still felt raw and too bright. She leaned slightly against him, letting herself be guided, her hands clutched tightly around his right arm.
Once they reached the car, James, his driver stepped out and bowed at the sight of Axton.
Go on home, James," he instructed his driver. "I'll drive Ms. Chen myself."
James nodded. "Yes Sir."
Elin blinked at him. "You... you don't have to—"
"I insist," he said firmly, his green eyes locking on hers. "It's your day. Let me handle this part."
She hesitated, then climbed into the passenger seat, still trembling from the stress. The warmth of the leather and the faint scent of his cologne enveloped her, a stark contrast to the chaos she had just left behind. Axton slid in beside her, adjusted the rear-view mirror, and started the engine. The quiet hum of the car felt grounding, and for the first time since the morning, she let herself breathe.
"I... I can't believe that happened," she whispered, voice barely audible. Tears threatened, and she wiped them hastily with the back of her hand.
Axton reached over, covering her hand with his own, warmth spreading through her as he held it. "I know," he said softly. "But it's over now. I'm here. Nothing and no one can hurt you while I'm around."
Her chest constricted, and her lips trembled as she let out a shaky breath. "I just... I didn't think people could be so cruel," she murmured, her voice breaking with emotion.
"You don't have to think about it right now," he said, tilting her face gently toward his. "You focus on yourself. On feeling safe. I'll take care of everything else."