Lies and Weddings

The novel opens in Hong Kong, where a wealthy bachelor named Henry Tong is planning to propose to a socialite named Gabriella Soong. Henry meets a group of his wealthy friends at a lavish hotel. After Henry proposes to Gabriella, a young woman named Mary becomes distressed. Her brother Roger attacks Henry. During the struggle, Henry falls to his death.

The narrative shifts to the present day. Eden Tong and Rufus Gresham have been friends sinch childhood, although they now live very different lives. Via a text message conversation, Rufus learns that Eden has not been invited to the upcoming wedding of his sister, Augusta. The wedding will take place in Hawaii. Rufus was looking forward to seeing Eden in Hawaii and is very surprised and annoyed that his mother, Lady Arabella, has not invited her.

Meanwhile, in Hawaii, Augusta is touring the location where her wedding will take place. Augusta is unhappy because “Mummy designed every square meter of this resort. It’s the new jewel in her hotel empire that she’s waiting to show off to the world” (40). Augusta feels that her mother has always been domineering and controlling, and she resents Arabella.