Chapter 25 With one last glance at Marco , who seemed absorbed in his paper , Delilah left the house , feeling light and exhilarated . 17 Veopher She strode briskly down the street toward the café , the thrill of her secret job and the excitement of a new client adding a spring to her step . The notification from Shh , I Tame Real Men had informed her that the client was expected at the café in about a minute . She glanced at her watch . " Better not be late , " she thought , quickening her pace . As she reached the café , she was pleased to see the space was spotless . The tables gleamed , the counters were polished , and the morning sunlight filtered in through the clean windows . Helen had clearly done her job well . Delilah pushed open the door , her face lighting up in a broad smile as she greeted Helen . " Morning , Helen ! Looks like you've been hard at work . " Helen managed a smile back . " Good morning , Delilah . " 0.00 % 13:17 Chapter 25 Something in Helen's eyes flickered , but Delilah , too preoccupied with the anticipation of meeting her client , missed the slight nervousness . " You outdid yourself with the cleaning , " Delilah continued , taking in the immaculate surroundings . " Thank you , " Helen replied , her voice soft . She shifted slightly , her hands clasping together as if bracing herself . Just then , Ruby walked in , her face bright with excitement . She , too , had received the notification and looked eager to dive into another assignment . " Morning , ladies , " Ruby greeted , her tone chipper . " Ruby ! " Delilah greeted back , flashing her friend a grin . Then she checked her phone . The client is a few minutes late . No big deal . Sometimes clients weren't punctual . Delilah shrugged . " Looks like we've got a few minutes . Might as well get ready . " 14.40 % 13 170 Chapter 25 1208 0 Ruby nodded , catching on . " Good idea . " She moved to the blinds , drawing them down so that the café was shielded from prying eyes . Then , she flipped the sign on the door to Closed . Delilah watched with satisfaction as Ruby handled the familiar routine with ease . As Ruby moved around , Helen's hands fidgeted , her fingers twisting together nervously . She was biting her lower lip , her gaze flitting to Delilah and Ruby as if wanting to say something , but she hesitated . After Ruby finished closing up , she took a seat beside Delilah . " This should be an interesting one , don't you think ? " Ruby grinned , crossing her legs as she leaned back . Helen took a deep breath , her feet shuffling against the clean floors . Finally , she seemed to gather her courage , stepping closer to them . " Um ... Delilah ? Ruby ? " Her voice was cautious , and Delilah looked up , noticing Helen's pale face . 52 % 13170 Chapter 25 1120 loc " Yes , Helen ? " Delilah asked , raising an eyebrow . " Go on . " Helen swallowed , her voice barely above a whisper . " I ... I'm the client . " Delilah's smile froze , and she exchanged a quick glance with Ruby , whose face fell in disbelief . They spoke together in stunned unison , " What ? " The brightness in Delilah's eyes faded instantly , and Ruby's expression shifted from excitement to frustration . " You're joking , right ? " Ruby's voice was sharp , skeptical . Helen looked down , avoiding their eyes , her hands twisting in front of her . " Please tell me you're joking , Helen . " Ruby's voice dropped , almost pleading . Helen looked up , her eyes filled with anxiety . She pulled out a chair , sank into it , and reached into her pocket . She slid a familiar card across the table - a card with a woman smoking on the front and the text Shh , I Tame Real Men emblazoned across it . 41.60 % 13 1703 Chapter 25 Ruby stared at the card , then ran a hand through her hair , frustrated . 288.0 / buchets " I rushed over here , nearly got hit by a car , only to find out you're the client ? " She threw her hands in the air , exasperated . " Seriously , Helen ? " Helen's face fell , her shoulders hunching as she stammered , " I ... I didn't know how to tell you . " " Didn't know how to tell us ? " Ruby's voice was growing louder . " I almost broke my neck getting here , and you didn't know how to tell us ? " " I ... I'm sorry , " Helen muttered , casting her gaze down to the table . " I just thought it'd be easier to ... to approach you like this . You know , the way we usually meet clients . " Ruby leaned back in her chair , crossing her arms . " This isn't a joke , Helen . This is serious . " Helen glanced up , visibly hurt by Ruby's frustration . She shifted in her chair , as if trying to make herself smaller . " I ... I know . And I'm sorry . " Do you realize how many things I could have been doing instead ? " Ruby continued , her tone still sharp . " Honestly , Helen , you're not- " " Ruby , " Delilah interrupted , her voice calm but firm . 13 17 Chapter 25 She reached over , putting a hand on Ruby's arm to stop her . " Stop it , Ruby . " 11 Ruby scoffed , shaking her head . " Stop it ? Delilah , you know as well as I do that Helen isn't- " Delilah held up her hand , silencing Ruby with a look . " I'm frustrated too , Ruby . I rushed down here and skipped breakfast , just to be on time . " She turned to Helen , her voice softening a little . " But Helen ... we've signed a contract concerning Shh , I Tame Real Men , and that contract is clear . We keep everything here strictly confidential . We took an oath for a reason , and we all agreed to our most important rule : we don't work for each other . Ever . Our services are only for clients outside the circle . " Helen bit her lip , her eyes meeting Delilah's with a hint of pleading . " I know , but can't the rule change just this once ? " Silence fell over the table . Ruby let out a heavy sigh , drumming her fingers against her arm in frustration . Delilah's expression remained stoic , but Helen could see the disappointment there , hidden just beneath the surface . " Do you understand what you're asking , Helen ? " Delilah said finally , her 72.25 % 13.170 Chapter 25 voice steady . " This isn't just a rule . It's a line we don't cross , and we swore to keep it that way for everyone's safety . " " I ... I know it's a big ask , " Helen said , her voice barely a whisper , her fingers fidgeting in her lap . She glanced from Delilah to Ruby . " But I wouldn't be here if I didn't need it . " 206 Vouchers " Everyone needs it , " Ruby shot back . " That's the point . But just because we know you doesn't mean we can suddenly make exceptions . That's the quickest way for everything to fall apart . " She leaned in , her voice growing lower but sharper . " And it's insulting , honestly . Did you really think we'd make exceptions for you just because you work here ? "