The moment Karl heard his mother-in-law was looking for him, he cranked up the incinerator’s heat, hoping to finish burning the two brothers faster.

Still, ten minutes didn’t feel safe enough. It *should* take longer—crematoriums usually need two to three hours.

Even with this incinerator’s fierce flames, ten minutes seemed impossible.

Calis, standing nearby, seemed to read his mind. “I’ll watch this. You go see Madam.”

Karl hesitated. They were in this together—she wouldn’t betray him. And honestly, she had far more corpse-handling experience.

“Then I’ll leave it to you. Just make sure no one sees.”

“No worries. If spotted, we’ll say it’s expired, moldy meat. No one will suspect a thing.”

Karl nodded, turned to the incinerator, clasped his hands, and muttered softly:

“Please… don’t come for me. Wrongs have their targets, debts have their owners… Ah! Um! You know what I mean.”

He turned and left.

Since Madam summoned him to the poetry gathering, she must already be waiting in the living room, perfectly dressed.

And sure enough—there she was. Elegant. Flawless.

Honestly, his mother-in-law was stunning.

A sacred, mesmerizing grace radiated from her.

She’d be even lovelier with a smile… or less sternness.

Karl still couldn’t fathom how someone this beautiful ended up with his father-in-law.

He bowed slightly. “Mother-in-law… you’re taking me to the poetry gathering?”

She nodded. “Several literary clubs are hosting it. I planned to go with Mia, but… a decent-looking man at my side feels right. So I’m bringing you.”

*Translation:* “I want to show off my handsome son-in-law.”

Karl got it.

“I’ll go change.”

“Nothing too formal. Have Ling pick something nice. I don’t trust Calis’s taste.”

Karl followed maid Ling back to his room.

Ling yanked open the wardrobe, scowling. “If Madam hadn’t ordered me, I wouldn’t lift a finger for you.”

“Then refuse her to her face~~” Karl shot back, smug.

“Ugh… you jerk son-in-law! You *know* I can’t!”

“Just say the son-in-law’s too ugly to style. Claim helplessness.”

“They’d cut my tongue out!!”

*How dare a maid disrespect her own son-in-law?*

Ling pulled out a burgundy suit jacket, trousers, and a crisp white shirt. “This’ll do. Change yourself.”

“Nope. You help me.” Karl wanted to assert authority—she never took him seriously.

“A grown man asking *me* to undress him? Shameless?!”

“Aren’t you the maid assigned to Freya and me? This is your duty. I’ve been too soft.”

“Not happening!” Ling snapped.

“Fine. I’ll tell Mother-in-law Ling refused *everything*.”

“Say that and I’ll poison your dinner, you evil son-in-law!” Ling panicked.

“Go ahead~ Let’s see who suffers more.”

“Ugh…”

*No matter what… I lose. I’m just a maid…*

“Clothes off!!”

Ling stomped behind him, yanked off his jacket with irritation, then unbuttoned his shirt—slowly, with slender fingers.

She froze. Face flushed crimson.

Beneath: Karl’s sculpted chest and abs.

“What’s wrong?” Karl asked.

“N-nothing…” Ling kept her head down, swiftly pulled off the shirt.

*His skin… feels… nice?*

*Damn it!! Don’t fall for his looks!! He’s that jerk Karl!*

She buttoned the new shirt, hands trembling. Then hesitated at his trousers.

Karl grabbed her wrists. “P-pants… I’ll handle myself.”

He’d meant to tease her—but *her* changing *his* pants? Too embarrassing. She was a pretty girl… and he feared… *certain reactions*.

“Ugh…” Ling sounded oddly disappointed.

“Cover your eyes! No peeking!!”

“Like I’d *want* to!” She stomped, slapped hands over her eyes.

Karl changed.

Unbeknownst to him, Ling peeked through her fingers.

*Ugh… again. This jerk’s body’s unfairly good. That bulge… so big… wonder what’s under—*

*NO!! Bad thoughts!! He’s the evil son-in-law!*

She forced calm, watching him pull on trousers. The *second* they were on, she dropped her hands.

Karl blinked. “Weren’t you covering your eyes? How’d you know I was done?”

“…”

Her face burned scarlet.

Karl’s eyes widened. *She was peeking the whole time?!*

Before he could speak, Ling shoved the suit jacket at him. “Put it on yourself!”

She bolted from the room.

Karl stood frozen, jacket in hand. *I’m the one who got peeked at—and SHE’S angry?!*

Sighing, he slipped on the jacket and adjusted his collar in the mirror.