Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

“That’s quite true.” Oliver nodded, stirring his tea.
“Tell me, Oliver, what is going to happen to that spectacular palace now?” the sultana
asked, her brow furrowing.
“Oh it’s anyone’s guess. My cousins are entertaining an avalanche of offers. Every day I
hear there’s someone new coming in with an even higher bid. We’re in the billions now.”
“I’m not surprised at all. If I was younger, I might have considered it as a home in
Singapore myself. Of course, it will never be the same without Su Yi, but whoever ends up
living there will be tremendously fortunate.”
Oliver sighed dramatically. “Sadly, though, I don’t think that will happen. The house
will surely be torn down.”
“Oh my goodness, how can that be?” The sultana placed her hand to her chest in shock,
showing off her fifty-eight-carat blue diamond ring. Kitty’s eyes followed the solitaire like
a cat distracted by a shiny toy.
“The land is far too valuable. All the developers that have put in bids have ambitious
plans for Tyersall Park, and I don’t believe that would include the old house.”
“But what a travesty that would be! Tyersall Park is one of the most elegant estates in
Southeast Asia. That rose garden, and the grand salon—such sophistication! Someone
needs to rescue it from the greedy developers!”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Oliver said.
Kitty listened to them with fascination. This was the first time she had heard anything
about this old house.
“Well, Oliver, surely you know someone who will want to buy the estate and maintain it
to the same standards as Su Yi did? What about that new Chinese duchess whatshername
who’s moving to Singapore to save the chimpanzees? I met her at the funeral.”
Kitty looked up from her tea in alarm.
“Um, you’re referring to the Countess of Palliser?” Oliver said, glancing at Kitty
uncomfortably.
“Yes, that one. Do you know her? She should buy the house. Then she would become
the undisputed queen of Singapore!” the Dowager Sultana declared, popping another
sweet coconut ball in her mouth.
—
After their audience with the sultana, Kitty remained silent during the helicopter ride
back to Singapore. As she alighted from the chopper, she turned to Oliver and said, “This
house the sultana was referring to, how much are we talking about?”
“Kitty, I know you heard what you heard, but the Dowager Sultana lives in a bit of a
fantasy land. Colette would never buy Tyersall Park.”
“And why not?”
“I know my cousins—they would never sell the house to her.”
“Oh really? You said Colette would never be at your auntie’s funeral, and yet there she