Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

tasting menu prepared by Marcus Sim, the Shangs’ personal chef. Carlton looked around
at the exquisite minimalist paintings surrounding them and commented, “Are these
works by Agnes Martin?”
“Indeed they are,” Leonard Shang replied, impressed that Carlton recognized the artist.
“Do you collect?” India asked.
“Not really, no,” Carlton replied.
“Carlton collects cars,” Colette said, with a gleam in her eye.
“Oh really? What sort? I’m restoring an MG Midget at the moment,” Lucien said.
“I do love MGs, but I actually have a car import business in China. We specialize in
exotics like McLarens, Bugattis, and Koenigseggs.”
“My goodness, those are awfully fast cars, aren’t they?” India commented.
“They are incredibly engineered automobiles—works of art, really—and yes, they are
built for speed,” Carlton answered calmly.
“Carlton likes to go very fast. He used to race.” Colette took a bite of her grilled octopus
and gave him an innocent look across the table.
Scheherazade glanced at Carlton, noticing the tension on his face.
“Oh dear. Have you ever been in an accident?” India asked, making up her mind right
then that Scheherazade should never ride in this young man’s car again.
“Actually, I have,” Carlton replied.
“What happened? Hope you didn’t wreck one of those million-dollar sports cars.”
Lucien laughed.
“It was a very unfortunate accident. But it taught me to be extremely careful. I don’t
race anymore,” Carlton said.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Scheherazade said with a little smile.
“Well,” Colette interjected with a glint in her eye, “when you kill one girl and paralyze
another from the waist down, it’s probably best not to, isn’t it?”
While Leonard Shang choked on his chardonnay and his wife froze as if she had just
been turned into a pillar of salt, Colette flashed a smile at Carlton. It was a smile he knew
only too well, and at that moment he realized that Colette Bing might call herself the
Countess of Palliser these days, but she hadn’t changed one fucking bit.