𝐃𝐘𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐘 ── 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒚 𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔. ✔︎

𝟬𝟭𝟭.

THE OCBC CENTRE at 65 Chulia Street was nicknamed "the calculator" because of its flat shape and windows that resemble button pads. The architect I. M. Pei had intended for the hulking gray tower to be a symbol of strength and permanence since it was the headquarters of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, the island's oldest bank. Unbeknownst to most people, the thirty-eighth floor of the tower was home to Tan and Tan, a small law firm that kept an exceedingly low profile but was undoubtedly one of the most influential legal powerhouses in the country.

The firm almost exclusively represented Singapore's establishment families and did not take on new clients-one had to be specially recommended. Today, the glowing mahogany-and-glass reception counter had been given an extra polish, fresh-cut roses bloomed in the guest toilets, and every member of the staff had been told to dress in their smartest outfits. At around fifteen minutes to ten, the elevator doors began to work overtime as the descendants of Shang Su Yi started to arrive en masse.

The Leongs showed up first-Harry, Felicity, Henry Jr., Peter, and Astrid were joined by Victoria Young and the Aakaras. At 9:55 a.m., Philip, Eleanor, Ramona, Theodore and Nick joined the others in the discreet reception room with its imitation Le Corbusier leather couches. Sitting down next to Astrid, Ramona asked, "You okay?" she could always sense whenever things weren't right with her cousin.

Astrid smiled, trying to reassure her. "I'm fine. I just didn't get enough sleep last night, that's all."

"I haven't been sleeping much either. Teddy thinks my body's just catching up to the grief, but it all still feels like some bizarre dream," Ramona said. As he made that comment, the grandfather clock in the lobby began to chime ten, and Alix Young Cheng entered with her husband, Malcolm, Eddie, Cecilia, and Alistair. Eddie cleared his throat as if he were going to make a speech, but he was interrupted by Cathleen Kah, who came out into the reception area to greet the family.

Cathleen shepherded everyone down the corridor and through the double doors into the main conference room. A massive dark oak table dominated the room, placed in front of the bank of windows framing a panoramic view of the bay. Sitting at one end of the table was Freddie Tan, Su Yi's longtime lawyer, having coffee with Alfred Shang, Leonard Shang, and Oliver T'sien.

I knew Uncle Alfred would be part of this, but what the hell are Leonard and Oliver doing here? Eddie thought to himself. "Good morning, everyone," Freddie said jovially. "Please make yourselves comfortable."

Everyone took their seats around the table, clustered more or less in their family units, except for Eddie, who positioned himself at the head of the table like an asshole. "That was quite the send-off yesterday, wasn't it? Eddie, I never knew you could sing like that," Freddie remarked.

"Thank you, Freddie. Shall we begin?" Eddie eagerly suggested.

"Relax, kiddo. We're just waiting for one more person," Freddie said.

"Who else is coming?" Eddie asked, suddenly alarmed.

At that moment, the sound of expensive designer heels making soft clicks against marble could be heard in the corridor outside, and the receptionist opened the conference room doors. "This way, ma'am."

Jacqueline Ling breezed into the room in a deep purple wrap dress, her Res Rei sunglasses still on and a Mitford blue Yves Saint Laurent couture overcoat flung across her shoulders. "So sorry to keep you all waiting! Would you believe my driver took me to the wrong place? He thought we were going to the Singapore Land Tower for some reason."

"No need to apologize. It's just a few minutes past ten, so you're fashionably late, haha," Freddie joked.

Jacqueline took a seat next to Ramona, who leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek, and Theodore who also gave her a peck on the cheek. Freddie looked around at the anxiously assembled group and decided it was time to put them out of their misery. "Well, we all know why we're here, so let's get on with it."