Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

many love-sick puppies get their hearts stomped on. But you, Mr. Dimples, have gotten
through the Praetorian Guard.”
“So where are you taking her on your hot date?” Nick prodded.
“I thought I’d keep things really casual…maybe a walk followed by drinks at LeVeL33?”
Astrid made a little face. “You might want to rethink that.”
“You’re going to have to up your game, Carlton. Scheherazade Shang does not impress
easily,” Nick warned.
“Okay, duly noted.” Carlton laughed.
Rachel, meanwhile, was on the edge of her seat wanting to know what happened at the
reading of the will. “Anyway, enough about Carlton’s love life. How are you guys? Did
everything…um…go okay?”
Nick stared out the window. From where he was sitting, it seemed as though the entire
café was a glass tree house, and he just wanted to dive out the window and be enveloped
by the foliage. “I’m not sure, my brain is totally fried. How do you think it went, Astrid?”
Astrid leaned back in her chair and let out a sigh. “I’ve never been in a room that was
filled with that much tension. There were many surprises, and I think everyone’s in shock
at the moment. Eddie especially.”
“Why Eddie?” Rachel asked.
Nick gave a little laugh. “The poor sod thought he was going to inherit Tyersall Park.”
Knowing the big question on Rachel’s mind, he continued, “It’s not going to me either. I
have a small share, but Tyersall Park is being divided up like a big wheel of cheese among
my father, his sisters…and Alistair, as it turns out.”
Rachel’s jaw dropped. “Alistair? Jeez, no wonder Eddie’s in shock!”
“Shock today, fratricide tomorrow,” Astrid quipped.
“How about you, Astrid? Are you surprised that you didn’t get a share of the house?”
Rachel asked.
“I never imagined I would. I’m happy enough that Ah Ma left me a few things she
knows I’ll cherish.” Astrid’s phone began to ring, and seeing that it was Charlie, she
quickly got up from the table and said, “Back in a moment. If the waitress comes, can I get
a peach-and-lychee fizz?”
After Astrid had left the table, Rachel asked, “So if the house is being divided up among
so many people, how’s that going to work?”
Nick shrugged. “I guess that’s what they’re trying to figure out now. The rest of the
family is back at the house having a big powwow over lunch.”
Rachel reached across the table and gave Nick’s hand a squeeze. She could only imagine
how difficult it must have been for him, to sit there in that office and find out how his
grandmother’s entire life was going to be dismantled and dispersed. Changing the topic,
she said cheerily, “Well, let’s order. I’m starving, and I hear the Tiger beer-battered fishand-chips
are amazing.”