The young woman’s parents disapproved of her marriage to a kind young man because they thought he was poor.
What they didn’t know was that his millionaire father had conceived a clever plan to teach them a lesson they would never forget.
Years before, Sam Sutton had invented an indestructible sealant for motors that had revolutionised the industry.
What he didn’t know: the fortune he made from his invention would one day affect his son Will’s personal life.
When Sam applied for the patent, the Sutton family’s life changed dramatically. They moved into a beautiful home, drove new cars, and enjoyed all the benefits that wealth brings.
But despite the millions that flowed into their bank account, Sam focused on only one thing: giving his wife, Raine, and their young son, Will, a happy life.
Over the years, the Suttons’ wealth grew, but trouble came. Raine became seriously ill, and despite Sam’s wealth, nothing could save her.
Sam learnt firsthand that money can’t buy love or health. Rain’s death broke his heart, and he struggled with raising Will alone.
Determined to be the best father he could be, Sam invested all his love and resources into Will and showered him with everything he could afford – and Sam could afford a lot.
But when Will went to high school, it became clear that not everyone saw him for who he really was.
Will’s classmates were more interested in his wealth than his kindness.
The girls who surrounded him were not attracted by his personality or charm – but by his family’s money.
One night Will told his father about his experiences.
He had fallen in love with a girl, only to discover that she was more interested in luxury holidays and private jets than he was in himself.
Sam comforted his son and advised him to break off the relationship. That evening, Will made a plan.
‘Dad, if I go to Yale, I want everyone to think I have a scholarship.
I don’t want anyone to know about our money,’ Will said.
Sam was surprised. ‘A scholarship? But why, Will?’
‘Because,’ Will explained, ’if people think I’m poor, they’ll only be friends with me if they really like me.
And if a girl shows interest, I’ll know it’s because of me – not because of our money.’
Sam admired his son’s wisdom and agreed with his plan.
When Will went to Yale, he took only second hand clothes and lived modestly.
To everyone around him, Will seemed like an ordinary student, barely making ends meet.
The plan worked perfectly. Will made real friends, and in his third year he fell in love with a girl named Eddie, short for Edwina.
She loved Will for who he was, not for the wealth she thought he didn’t have.
When Will proposed to Addie, she said yes, and he couldn’t have been happier.
But everything changed when Will met Eddie’s parents. Martha and Farlow were wealthy and obsessed with social status.
They wanted their daughter to marry a rich man, not an impoverished student with nothing to offer. Although they treated Will politely, their contempt was obvious.
Determined to support their relationship, Addie proudly showed off the modest engagement ring Will had given her and invited both Will and Sam to her family’s Christmas party.
Martha and Farlow were shocked but agreed to come, although they planned to secretly make the visit as unpleasant as possible.
