Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians #3)(139)

Nick's face flashed with anger. "It wasn't an unfortunate incident. My wife almost died! Just how much do you stand to make on this deal, Oliver? Aside from your commission on the sale, which will be in the millions, how much will you and that auction house of yours be making selling new stuff to these eager Bings?"

Oliver got up from the divan and smiled apologetically. "You know, I think I will leave you all now. I can see that I've frayed a few nerves. The offer's on the table, and I look forward to hearing your response."

As soon as Oliver had left the room, Victoria spoke up. "You know, I've been thinking … there is something to all this that's just been so serendipitous, so impossible to believe, this has to be a sign. Nicky, this incredible offer from the Bings, I think part of it is because they are atoning for what happened to Rachel. I think this is all Mummy's work. She is looking out for us from heaven."

Nick rolled his eyes in frustration.

"It is hard to believe that anyone would pay this much over the market value for Tyersall Park-" Alix began.

"Mummy had it planned all along. She knew we wouldn't be getting any money from the Shang Trust, and so she wanted us all to get the most money possible out of Tyersall Park. That's why she split it up like she did, and now she's working a miracle for us." Victoria's voice brimmed with conviction. 

Nick suddenly stood up and looked at his aunties. "Look, you can tell yourself any story you want if it helps you to sleep at night. Personally, I can't stand the idea of this house going to the family that almost killed my wife! I don't think we can trust them to keep their word about preserving the house-I can tell that Kitty's just waiting to get her claws into redesigning it from top to bottom. But if I can match Jack's offer, will you sell it to me?"

Rachel looked at him in surprise, while Alix answered, "Nicky, don't be silly. It would be absurd for you to buy this house at that price! We couldn't let you do that!"

"You didn't answer my question. If I can get us ten billion, do we have a deal?"

The aunties looked at one another.

"Okay, we will give you one month," Felicity finally relented.





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN


SENTOSA ISLAND, SINGAPORE

Twice a year, the acquisitions board of the Singapore Museum of Modern Art convened to go over potential new purchases for the permanent collection. The exclusive board was composed of the city's young elite collectors, mostly descended from the country's most powerful families. As with most entitled scions, it simply wouldn't do for them to actually have to perform their duties at the museum's perfectly nice but rather ordinary offices, so some new fabulous location with celebrity-chef-prepared cuisine was always selected for the acquisitions board meetings.

Today, the meeting took place over breakfast at the Capella on Sentosa, the island playground off Singapore's southern coast. When the museum's curator Felipe Hsu arrived at the gorgeous reception room overlooking a beautiful tiered infinity pool, he found the atmosphere positively buzzing among the dozen or so members that had already assembled.

"I couldn't believe it! Absolutely couldn't believe it!" Lauren Lee Liang (the wife of Roderick Liang of the Liang Finance Liangs, and a granddaughter of Mrs. Lee Yong Chien) whispered in a corner to Sarita Singh (former Bollywood actress and daughter-in-law of Gayatri Singh).

"How can you possibly recover from something like that?" Sarita shook her head as she fingered the mother-of-pearl medallions on her Van Cleef and Arpels necklace as if they were rosary beads.

"Well, the one consolation is that her tits did look great. I wonder if she's had them lifted?" Lauren said as she shielded her mouth with her VBH clutch.

Felipe strolled over to the buffet to help himself to two soft-boiled eggs and some toast points. Patricia Lim (of the Lim Rubber Lims), who was standing next to him trying to decide between eggs Benedict or eggs Norwegian, gave him a look. "What a morning, huh?"

"Yes, it seems like everyone's caffeinated and ready to go! Good, good, we have quite a long agenda today."

"Are you thinking of making any sort of announcement, or do you plan to maintain a dignified silence?"

"I'm not sure what you're referring to, Pat." The curator frowned.

"Don't play dumb with me, Felipe! Oh dear lord … SHE'S ACTUALLY HERE!"

The room went dead silent as Astrid entered. She said hi to her cousin Sophie Khoo (of the Khoo Enterprises Khoos),* grabbed a pain au chocolat from the buffet and sat down at the head of the long marble table as everyone took their places. Then she stood up abruptly. "Good morning, everyone. Before we dive headlong into our agenda, I have a confession to make."