Temporary bride for the demon overlord-Chapter 37: Sea food, secrets and Seraphina

Karma was a firm believer of three things. Work hard.

Make money.

And keep your nose out of everyone’s business.

The third was the hardest one. Sometimes, it could be hard to keep your nose out of people’s business. Why? Before they threw theirs into your business first.

Sniffing about.

Only she didn’t know how her nose caught roiled into her stepsister’s business.

Who was she kidding? She did know.

But revenge was a strange thing. It hardened your stomach to ice crust and heated your innards to molten lead, bubbling, frothing and cooling.

Quite the heady combination. And so, she endured the two hours of pin sticking and measuring.

"Finally! My skin is like lace from all the pin holes," Veronica groaned mournfully.

Karma smiled indulgently. Seraphina laughed and shook her head.

"I’m the bride Veronica, what do you want me to say?" She pouted.

Karma wanted to barf. Instead, she flashed another one of her I-promise-im so-gullible smiles at her.

"I’m sure you must have had it harder than us." Karma said, all doleful eyes.

"Why can’t everyone just wear jorts and tank tops? It’ll be so cool." Veronica grumbled.

"Don’t be a dummy. It’s my wedding and I can do what I want." Seraphina’s smile was slightly condescending.

Veronica and Karma exchanged a glance.

"Let’s get something eat!" Veronica suggested. She grabbed her huge ass bag and hurried out of the place.

"My treat!" Seraphina announced. She fingered the black sleek card between her palm.

"Is that..is that a black card?!" Veronica’s eyes goggled.

Seraphina nodded. "Isn’t that exciting? My fiance gave it to me. He supports my spending addictions."

Veronica was still googling at the back card, with no limit. Karma had other thoughts to process.

The fact that Seraphina was getting married to Karma’s ex was crucial to be considered. Just last week, Ethan had come begging Karma for the promised shares.

The shares Karma promised to give him when they got married. He was a trifle desperate then, judging from the beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Which roughly translates into one thing. A second option.

Did Ethan perhaps get someone to sponsor him? Karma had it on good authority he had some pretty bad investment that cost him two third of the company funds.

It was either that, or Seraphina had another option. Another man. The latter was much more believable than the former, but she was open to investigation.

"Earth to Karma!" Veronica was peering into Karma’s eyes. Karma managed a distracted smile.

"Sorry. I’m thinking about work," it was a believable lie, being the workaholic that she was. "What were you saying?"

"Seraphina was asking if you’re good with sushi. Personally, I would love a good seafood boil. So, you’re our deciding vote," Veronica announced.

Veronica was anything if not a food enthusiast. Normally, she wasn’t Seraphina’s biggest fan, but whenever food is involved, she’s suddenly in love with her.

Veronica made covert pleading hands at Karma when she thought Seraphina wasn’t looking.

Karma placed a finger on her chin, pretending to think.

"Um...I think I’ll have," she paused, and made the drum roll beat with her mouth to heighten the anticipation, "Seafood boil!"

"Yessss lord!" Veronica said.

"But it’s noon!" Seraphina pointed to the broiling sun in the sky.

"Girl, all time is seafood time. Don’t be kidding me like that." Veronica snapped her fingers.

Karma observed the tightness behind Seraphina’s eyes. The one she hid with a bright saccharine smile.

Veronica_bless her heart_had no more concerns and was only checking out the nearest seafood restaurant beside them.

Thirty minutes later, they were waiting for the seafood to boil. Veronica was making love eyes at the big lobster.

Karma decided to dig her knife a little deeper. Something was suspicious with Seraphina. And she was going to find out why.

Something to add into her folder of "Seraphina’s ruination"

"I never knew Ethan had a black card. Unlimited spending, are you kidding me?" She made her voice as enthusiastic and admiring as she dared.

If there was something Seraphina was passionately about, it was bragging. Though her eyes turned sharp and glaring, a small smile curled on her lips and she twirled her ring.

"Well..." she drawled, eyeing Karma from the top of the rising steam. "Ethan got a new sponsor!"

"Yay!" Veronica managed, as she dug into the food with gusto.

"For real?"

"Of course." Seraphina said slyly. "It’s Ryan Gosling. He’s been looking for new companies to invest in. And let me tell you, he’s loaded." Her eyes took on that greedy glint that was familiar. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Bingo! Ryan’s influence in this is going to be known soon.

"That guy at my husband’s launching party?" She said, pretending to be riveted.

Because Seraphina did not like the mention of her husband, her eyes turned cruel for a moment.

"Yeah. No offense to your husband’s company of course_"

"Companies." Karma corrected.

"Huh?"

"Companies. He has many of them," she couldn’t stop the grin of satisfaction from spreading on her face.

"Well yes." She shifted uncomfortably. "He thought Ethan had more potential. I couldn’t be prouder of him if I tried."

Karma nodded and murmured an appropriate awe-inspiring comment.

"If you guys won’t eat," Veronica cracked a crab loudly. "I’ll be so grateful. I can devour this whole thing."

"Seraphina has a black card! Of course she’ll foot the bill. Order as much as you can eat. And even if you can’t, you’ll just pack it home."

Veronica looked up at Seraphina for confirmation. She nodded, "Yes, I promise to treat you now, didn’t I?" Her voice had lost its saccharine effect.

Nothing could be more satisfying than that. Karma smiled and dug into the food herself. It really was tasty.

"How’s Alphonse?" Seraphina asked quietly, casually.

Karma’s nape pricked, and a chill ran down her spine. She couldn’t know, could she? Alphonse had gone on a trip. A dangerous one.

"He’s fine. Pretty busy. You know, with how successful his business is and all that."

Seraphina nodded, but Karma caught a hint of smirk.

If there was one thing Karma had learned about deception, it was this—keep it warm, not boiling. Boiling made people back away. Warmth made them relax. And if they relaxed, they’d spill secrets without even realizing their mouth had moved.

Like Seraphina was doing now.

Twisting her ring, twirling her straw, lips pink and shiny, eyes full of too much charm to be real. She was a walking Instagram filter dipped in venom.

"Alphonse must be tired of running around all the time," Seraphina said idly, her chopsticks picking at the rice like she was bored. "You know, always so serious."

Karma tilted her head, sipping slowly from her glass. "I prefer serious men. Especially ones that don’t accidentally screw their fiancée’s stepsister."

Veronica choked. Actually choked. A full-on sputter, hand flying to her throat, water squirting out of her mouth in a mist. Karma passed her a napkin with angelic patience.

Seraphina smiled. Too wide. "That was years ago, Karma. You really should let go. It’s not healthy to hold on to such...bitterness."

"Bitterness?" Karma echoed, voice smooth as syrup. "You’re right. But the thing about bitterness—it adds flavor. Keeps life interesting."

Veronica looked between the two of them like she was watching a tennis match, only neither of the players followed the rules and someone might get stabbed with a crab leg.

"Well, I don’t know about you two," Veronica said, in the tone of someone very much trying to change the subject before a murder happened, "but I’m ordering dessert. I saw fried ice cream on the menu and my stomach is already sending me love letters."

"Great idea." Karma smiled sweetly. "Seraphina did say she was paying."

"Of course I did," Seraphina said, tight-lipped.

The bill arrived shortly after dessert, nestled in its fake leather sleeve like a silent accusation. Karma watched as Seraphina slipped her black card inside with all the grace of someone pretending not to care. But her fingers were tense. Too tense.

Interesting.

---

After lunch, they went their separate ways. Veronica went off to flirt with the seafood chef because of course she did. Seraphina said she had "bridal errands" to run. Karma offered a ride back to her office.

"You don’t mind dropping me?" Seraphina asked as they walked toward Karma’s car.

"Not at all," Karma replied. "I’d offer you a kidney if I could."

Seraphina looked at her strangely, but didn’t comment. Perhaps she hadn’t figured out Karma’s sarcasm came with a blade.

They drove in silence for a while, the city blurring past in a haze of glass and steel. Karma kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting near her phone, already recording. Just in case.

Seraphina eventually sighed. "You know, Ethan is really different now."

"Different how?" Karma kept her tone light.

"He’s matured. Focused. He actually listens to me."

Karma resisted the urge to roll her eyes so hard they left her skull. "Well, congratulations. Listening is a big step for a man who used to argue about pineapple on pizza like it was a moral issue."

Seraphina laughed. "He’s grown. You’ll see it at the wedding."

"Oh, I wouldn’t miss it," Karma murmured. "I’ve already picked out a funeral-level dress."

Seraphina turned to her with narrowed eyes. "You know, sometimes I wonder why you’re still so... involved."

"Involved?"

"You act like you’ve moved on," Seraphina said

. "But it doesn’t feel that way. Still hanging around Ethan’s business dealings. Still attending his events. It’s like you’re... waiting."

Karma smiled, cold and slow. "Oh, I’m not waiting. I’m watching."

Seraphina blinked. "Watching what?"

"Everything."