Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

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.”
Most of the board members gasped audibly as they stared wide-eyed at Astrid.
“When it comes to Anish Kapoor, I am totally biased. I have loved his work for many
years now, and as you probably know I own several of his pieces and yes, I was the
anonymous donor who helped to fund the new installation in Antwerp. So we will be
examining two new artworks from him for possible acquisition, and I will recuse myself
from that vote.” Astrid smiled at everyone and sat down again.
“Un fucking believable…” Lauren Lee muttered under her breath.
Sarita Singh tapped on her coffee mug with her spoon, and everyone looked at her as
she spoke up in a righteous tone. “I was expecting our chairwoman to humbly announce
her resignation, but since she has shown no intention of doing that, I’d like to start a
motion for Astrid Leong’s immediate removal from the acquisitions board.”
Astrid stared at Sarita in shock.
“I second that motion,” Lauren Lee immediately said.
“What the hell?” Felipe blurted out, his mouth still full of soft-boiled egg as the room
erupted in commotion.
“Sarita, why are you suddenly suggesting this motion?” Astrid asked.
“Astrid, let’s be perfectly honest here. We’re going to lose funding now because of your
actions. The entire museum’s reputation is going to be affected because of you. I can’t
even believe you dared to show up here this morning.”
“I’m really not following…is this because of my divorce?” Astrid asked, trying to remain
gracious and calm.
From the other end of the table, Sophie Khoo stood up and ran over to Astrid’s side.
“Come with me now,” she whispered, taking hold of her arm.
Astrid stood up and followed Sophie out of the room. “What is going on in there?” she
asked, absolutely bewildered.
“Astrid, it just became apparent to me that you don’t even know yet.”
“Know what?”
Sophie closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled. “There is a video of you that leaked
late last night. It’s gone viral.”
“A video?” Astrid still didn’t catch on.
“Yes, of you…with Charlie Wu.”