The girl’s millionaire father pretends to be broke in order to teach the girl’s parents a lesson because they are against her marrying a nice young man who they believe to be poor.
Sam Sutton never thought that his discovery—how to create an unbreakable sealant for engines that everyone wanted—would have an impact on his then-infant son Will’s romantic life.
The family’s life immediately improved as a result of Sam’s discovery. With the patent for that sealant, he began to make a lot of money. Sam bought a new car and relocated to a beautiful home with his wife and infant son.
As time went on, Sam found himself with more money than he could have ever imagined. The comfort of his small family was all that mattered to him. The astounding amounts his attorney continued to report on seemed almost unbelievable.
Then Sam and his family experienced a horrible event, and the millions of dollars that were accumulated in the bank had no bearing on it. Rain, Sam’s wife, fell very ill. Sam insisted that money was no object to the doctors, but they would only shake their heads.
Love and good health are the two things in life that money cannot purchase. When Rain died, Sam learned about the first in the most agonizing way possible, and he would learn about the second when Will grew older.
Maybe Sam made a few mistakes, but it wasn’t easy being a single dad to a growing boy. Sam lavished everything he could afford on Will because he was so gentle, loving, and unspoiled, and Sam could afford anything.
As a result, Will’s high school peers soon discovered that both Will and his father were extremely wealthy and giving. Will quickly rose to the top of the group, not because of his generosity or striking appearance but rather because of his father’s wealth.
Particularly the girls gathered around Will like hornets around a nectar pot. Will liked it at first, but over time, he came to understand that they didn’t want him. They were after his father’s wealth and everything he could afford.
Will broke down in tears when he told Sam that the girl he was in love with wasn’t really into him. All she wanted was to accompany them on their private plane when the Sutton family visited the Bahamas, Veil, and Aspen.
While consoling his son, Sam urged him to end his relationship with that girl. Will had a plan, but the remainder of his senior year of high school was pretty lonely. “I have a plan, Dad,” he declared.
Sam smiled. “All right! What are your plans?””I’m going to Yale in the fall, but I want everyone to think I’m a scholarship student.”
Sam gave a startled blink. “A student receiving a scholarship? You? However, why?”
“Well.” Will declared, “People won’t be my friends unless they genuinely like me if I’m poor and wear shabby clothes. For our money, girls won’t want to date me.”
Sam answered, “That’s very true, Will.” “I think that’s a brilliant plan!”
They then started the plan in action. Will was the most disheveled and impoverished student you have ever seen, and Sam and Will purchased all of his clothes and equipment secondhand.
Money cannot purchase happiness and health.
The plan was successful because Will made a lot of wonderful, genuine friends right away. He also met a girl who shared his feelings, so everything worked out well. Will was smitten with that girl by the time he was a third year at Yale.
He made the decision that he wanted to wed Edwina, whose name was Eddy. Although Sam was a little concerned that Will might be too young, he too got married young and had a happy marriage.
Will then asked Eddy to marry him, and she accepted. That Thanksgiving, Eddy brought Will home to meet her parents, which turned out disastrously. Marta and Farlow, Eddy’s parents, were prosperous and pleased with their social standing.
No matter how intelligent, attractive, or humorous, they wanted their lovely daughter to wed a wealthy man rather than a scruffy third-year science major. Will found them a little unpleasant, but not so much that Eddy could get upset about them.
After saying yes to Will’s proposal, Eddy held up the small diamond he had given her with pride, treating it like the Kohinoor. Will and his father had to come celebrate Christmas with her family, she insisted. Fallow and Marta were appalled, but they agreed, grinned, and set about planning.
To join Eddy’s family for Christmas, Will and Sam traveled by Greyhound from their New Hampshire estate to their beach house in Narragansett.
The good times started when Eddy’s father picked them up from the bus station. Farlow sniffed and gave Sam a thorough examination. (Sam had gone a little overboard with his purchases at the neighborhood Goodwill.)
Sam appeared to be nearly homeless rather than just impoverished. As Farlow took them to their large home, he boasted about his fortune, homes, and vehicles. He told Sam, “I’ll make sure you know that I’ve taken excellent care of my family.” We actually live in luxury—we live in comfort.
We recognize that not everyone is accustomed to that, of course, but we still hope that Will and you will be able to blend in. For us, Christmas means a lot.”
Sam added, “It’s important to us too.” Ultimately, Marta and Farlow thought that the best way to celebrate Christmas was to buy towering piles of pricey gifts and flaunt their success to everyone they knew.
The days that followed were a nightmare. Neither Farlow nor Marta wasted an opportunity to let Sam know that they thought their daughter was way above his son’s level.
Marta remarked, “Eddy is a wealthy young woman, Sam.” And he needs to be able to provide her with the same standard of living. You haven’t performed as well for Will, I know that.”
When Eddy learned that her parents were trying to make Sam look bad, she became enraged. She therefore spoke with her parents. She declared, “I’m going to marry Will.” “And Sam’s going to be family, so get used to it.”
Her mother exclaimed, “But darling, the man is a derelict!” Have you looked at his attire? He is a source of shame.”
“Believe me, mom,” yelled Eddy, “you are much more of an embarrassment than Sam could ever be!” Unaware that Sam was paying attention, Eddy grinned. She was in love with Will! He had finally found the girl of a lifetime.
When the family gathered around the tree at midnight on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts, Marta grinned glumly and said, “You mustn’t feel bad, Sam, we know you’re struggling!”
Will was given a box containing a car key by Marta and Farlow. Farlow explained, “It’s an early wedding present.” “We believed that you required a better vehicle. Will, your ancient piece of junk is at least twenty years old.”
After thanking Marta and Farlow with a smile, they all went outside to take in the sight of the Porsche sitting in the garage, adorned with a large red bow. Farlow grinned and shot Sam a victorious glance. He was certain that Sam would never surpass that gesture, was he not?
Subsequently, Sam removed an envelope from his pocket. “Eddy,” uttered. “Will told me you two plan to move to New York when you graduate.”
“Yes, Sam, that is correct! You are aware that I have an internship at the Met, and he has an offer from a research facility in New York.”
“Well, finding a place to live in Manhattan isn’t easy, so I hope this helps…” Sam handed Eddy the envelope.
Farlow bitched. “What is that? A directory of Upper East Side shelters for the homeless? An index to the top soup kitchens in Brooklyn?”
Eddy gasped as she opened the envelope. “Sam!” in a hushed voice. “Is this for real?” When she opened the envelope and revealed the sheaf of papers inside, Will rushed to give his father a hug.
Surprised, Farlow and Marta turned to face each other. Eddy then turned to face her parents. “Sam has given Will and me the Tribeca brownstone’s deed. He provided us with a house.”
Farlow and Marta exchanged a look while keeping their mouths agape. Farlow gasped, “But…but…but…” “You’re awful…The attire you choose…You boarded the bus.”
“Well, Farlow,” Sam remarked amiably. “I want my son to be loved and accepted for himself, not for the $570 million he will eventually inherit from me.”
Eddy’s parents had given up objecting to the wedding. They were actually Will’s biggest supporters and showed Sam a great deal of courtesy and respect. Will and Eddy got married and relocated to New York the following summer. Three years later, when their little daughter Rain was born, Sam bought a house next door so he could be near them.
What lessons can we draw from this tale?
Money cannot purchase happiness and health. Sam was aware that people would approach his son for his money if they found out he was wealthy.
Never judge a person by their outward appearance. Sam’s cheap clothes gave Farlow and Marta a terrible feeling, and they had no idea he was a multimillionaire.
Talk about this tale with your companions. It could inspire them and make their day better.