Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

CHAPTER SIX
11 NASSIM ROAD, SINGAPORE
Winding through the heart of Bukit Timah, Nassim Road was one of the few long,
picturesque streets in Singapore that still retained a feel of graceful, Old World exclusivity
with its parade of historic mansions converted into embassies, tropical modern
bungalows on crisp manicured lawns, and stately Black and White houses left over from
the colonial era. Number 11 Nassim Road was a particularly fine example of Black and
White architecture, as it had only changed hands once since it had been built a century
ago. Originally commissioned by Boustead and Company, it had been purchased by S. K.
Leong in 1918, and every original detail had been preserved and lovingly maintained since
then by three generations of Leongs.
As Astrid pulled up the long driveway lined with Italian cypresses to the home where
she had grown up, the front door opened, and Liat, the majordomo, gestured for Astrid to
come down. Astrid frowned—she was picking up her mother to visit Ah Ma at the
hospital, and they were already running late for the morning briefing with Professor Oon.
Astrid left her dark blue Acura in the arched porte cochere and entered the foyer,
bumping into her sister-in-law Cathleen, who was seated on a rosewood stool lacing up
her walking shoes.
“Morning, Cat,” Astrid greeted.
Cathleen looked up at her with a strange expression. “They’re still eating. Sure you
want to show your face today?”
Astrid figured that Cathleen was referring to the Isabel Wu fiasco the other evening.
With all the attention focused on her grandmother, the incident had gone unmentioned
by her parents, but she knew that wouldn’t last long.
“It’s now or never, I guess,” Astrid said, bracing herself as she walked toward the
breakfast room.
“Godspeed,” Cathleen said, grabbing her battered Jones the Grocer shopping bag * as
she went out the door.
Breakfast at Nassim Road was always served in the glassed-in summer porch adjacent
to the drawing room. Boasting a circular marble-top teak table from the Dutch Indies,