Summary

In Chapter 7, Eleanor follows the rumors about Nick's girlfriend to the source—her husband’s cousin Cassandra, known as “Radio One Asia” because she knows everything about everyone (56). Cassandra heard from her spies in New York that Rachel Chu hails from the Taipei Plastics Chus, a new-money family in Taiwan. Eleanor is distraught, as a Taiwanese girlfriend is not part of the carefully crafted plans that Eleanor has for her son. Desperate to find out of the rumors are true, Eleanor calls Nick, but he does not pick up the phone. She then calls her niece, Astrid, knowing that she has a close relationship with Nick. Eleanor pretends that she already knows all about Rachel and is throwing a surprise party for her and Nick. Eleanor tells Astrid that she just wants ideas about what kind of party Rachel would enjoy. In...