For 18 years since the death of Kwok Tak-seng, his three sons have stood united at the head of the real estate empire he helped found.

The sight of Walter, Thomas and Raymond Kwok sitting side by side had become a staple at Sun Hung Kai Properties’s annual results briefing – until this year. All three were absent at the March briefing and the senior managers who hosted the press conference were barraged with questions about the leave of absence taken by Walter Kwok, chairman and chief executive.