A girl’s parents are against her marrying a nice young guy who they think is poor, so his millionaire father pretends to be broke and teaches them a lesson.
When Sam Sutton discovered a way to make an unbreakable sealant for engines everyone wanted, he never imagined that it would one day affect the love life of his then-infant son, Will.
Sam’s discovery brought immediate improvements to the family’s life as it happened. He started making a lot of money on that sealant’s patent. Sam, his wife, and his baby son moved to a lovely house and got a new car.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
As the years passed, there was more money than Sam had ever imagined. His little family was comfortable, and that’s all he cared about. The extraordinary sums his lawyer kept reporting on seemed quite unreal.
Then something terrible happened to Sam and his family, and all those millions piled up in the bank made no difference. Sam’s wife, Rain, became very ill. Sam kept telling doctors money was no object, but they just shook their heads.
There are two things in life that money can’t buy: love and good health. Sam found out about the first in the most painful way when Rain passed away, and he’d find out about the second when Will grew up.
Being a single dad to a growing boy wasn’t easy, so maybe Sam made a few mistakes. Will was so kind, loving, and unspoiled that Sam lavished everything he could afford on him — and Sam could afford anything.
So, in high school, Will’s colleagues quickly realized that his dad was very rich and generous — and so was Will. Quickly, Will became the most popular guy — not because of his kindness or amazing good looks, but because of his dad’s money.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Girls, in particular, swarmed around Will like bees around a honey pot. At first, Will liked it, but gradually, he realized they didn’t want him. They wanted his dad’s money and all the luxury it could buy.
Will told weeping Sam that the girl he was in love with didn’t really care for him. She just cared about going along on their private plane for the Sutton family trips to Aspen, Veil, and the Bahamas.
Sam comforted his son and encouraged him to break up with that girl. The rest of Will’s senior year in high school was pretty lonely, but he had a plan. “Dad,” he said, “I have a plan.”
Sam grinned. “OK! What’s your plan?””I’m going to Yale in the fall, but I want everyone to think I’m a scholarship student.”
Sam blinked in astonishment. “A scholarship student? You? But why?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
“Well.” Will said, “if I’m poor and I wear scruffy clothes, people won’t be my friends unless they really like me. Girls won’t want to date me for our money.”
“That’s very true, Will,” Sam said. “I think that’s a brilliant plan!”
And so they put the plan in motion. Will and Sam bought all his clothes and equipment second-hand, and Will was the scruffiest, poorest-looking student you ever saw.
Money can’t buy love and good health.
The plan worked because Will quickly found many great, sincere friends, and he even met a girl he liked, and she felt the same way, too. By his third year at Yale, Will was so in love with that girl.
Her name was Eddy — for Edwina — and he decided he wanted to marry her. Sam was a little worried that Will might be too young, but he married young, too, and he’d been very happy.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
So Will proposed to Eddy, and she said yes. Eddy took Will home to meet her parents that Thanksgiving, which was a disaster. Eddy’s parents, Marta and Farlow, were well-to-do and proud of their social position.
They wanted their beautiful daughter to marry a rich man, not a shabby third-year science major, no matter how smart, handsome, or funny. They were subtly unpleasant to Will but not enough that Eddy could complain.
Eddy, who had accepted Will’s proposal, proudly displayed the tiny diamond he’d given her as if it were the Kohinoor. She insisted that Will and his father join her family for the Christmas celebrations. Marta and Fallow were horrified, but they smiled, agreed, and made their plan.
Will and Sam took a Greyhound from their mansion in New Hampshire to Eddy’s family’s beach house in Narragansett to join the family for Christmas.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unplash
Eddy’s dad picked them up from the bus terminal, and the fun began. Farlow looked Sam up and down and sniffed. (Sam had gone shopping at the local Goodwill store and gone a little overboard.)
Sam didn’t look just poor; he looked almost homeless. Farlow drove them to their big house, and he talked about his wealth, his houses, and his cars. “I’ll have you know,” he said to Sam, “that I’ve done very well by my family. We live in comfort — to be honest, we live in luxury.
“Not everyone is used to that, of course, and we understand that, but we hope you and Will will be able to fit in. Christmas is very important to us.”
“It’s important to us too,” Sam said. As it turned out, Marta and Farlow’s idea of Christmas was to splurge on towers of expensive presents and show everyone they knew how successful they were.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
The next few days were a nightmare. Farlow and Marta didn’t miss a chance to show Sam they believed their daughter was way out of his son’s league.
“Eddy is a wealthy young woman, Sam,” Marta said. “And her husband must be able to give her the same lifestyle. I know you’ve not done as well for Will…”
Eddy became aware of her parents’ campaign to humiliate Sam, and she was furious. So she talked with her parents. “I’m going to marry Will,” she said. “And Sam’s going to be family, so get used to it.”
“But darling,” cried her mother, “the man is a derelict! Have you seen his clothes? He’s an embarrassment.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
“Believe me, mom,” Eddy said angrily, “you are much more of an embarrassment than Sam could ever be!” Eddy could not have known that Sam was listening, and he smiled. She loved Will! He’d found his one-in-a-million girl.
That night was Christmas Eve, and when the family gathered around the tree at midnight to exchange gifts, Marta said with an unpleasant smile, “You mustn’t feel bad, Sam, we know you’re struggling!”
Marta and Farlow handed Will a box with a car key inside. “It’s an early wedding present,” Farlow said. “We thought you needed a better car. Your old clunker is at least twenty years old, Will!”
Will smiled and thanked Marta and Farlow, and they all went outside to admire the Porsche sitting in the garage with a big red bow on it. Farlow threw Sam a triumphant look and smirked. He knew that Sam could never top that gesture, could he?
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Then Sam took an envelope out of his pocket. “Eddy,” he said. “Will told me you two plan to move to New York when you graduate.”
“That’s right, Sam! You know he has an offer from a New York research facility, and I have an internship at the Met…”
“Well, finding a place to live in Manhattan isn’t easy, so I hope this helps…” Sam gave the envelope to Eddy.
Farlow sneered. “What’s that? A list of homeless shelters in the Upper East Side? A guide to the Best Brooklyn soup kitchens?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Eddy opened the envelope and gasped. “Sam!” she whispered. “Is this for real?” She showed Will the sheaf of papers inside the envelope, and Will ran to embrace his dad.
Farlow and Marta looked from one to the other in surprise. Then Eddy turned to her parents. “Sam’s given Will and I the deed to a brownstone in Tribeca. He’s given us a home.”
Marta and Farlow looked at each other, their mouths hanging open. “But…but…but…” gasped Farlow. “You’re POOR…The way you dress…You took the bus…”
“Well, Farlow,” said Sam gently. “I want my son to be loved and accepted for himself, not for the $570 million he will eventually inherit from me.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
There were no more objections to the wedding from Eddy’s parents. In fact, they became Will’s biggest fans and were very polite and respectful of Sam. The following summer, Will and Eddy married and moved to New York. When they welcomed their little daughter, Rain, three years later, Sam bought himself a house next door so he could be close to them.
What can we learn from this story?
- Money can’t buy love and good health. Sam knew that if people knew he was rich, they’d get close to his son for his money.
- Don’t judge people by their appearance. Farlow and Marta despised Sam for his shabby clothes and never imagined he was a millionaire.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
I Overheard My MIL Lying to Her Friends about Me Doing No Chores at Home & Decided to Outplay Her
I Overheard My MIL Lying to Her Friends about Me Doing No Chores at Home & Decided to Outplay Her
When Allison invited her mother-in-law’s friends over for an early brunch, little did they know they were about to uncover the truth behind months of false tales and witness a family dynamic transform right before their eyes.
Six weeks ago, my life changed forever—I became a mom to a beautiful baby boy. It’s been the most incredible yet toughest journey. My husband, Sammy, had to leave for a work project right after our son was born.
Allison and her son | Source: Midjourney
So, we planned for his mom to move in with us to help during the first few months. She promised to handle everything so I could recover from the delivery and focus on our newborn.
Life at home is not how I imagined, though. From the moment she arrived, my mother-in-law (MIL) seemed more interested in resting than helping. She quickly claimed her spot on the sofa, diving into her favorite TV series.
Mother-in-law watches TV | Source: Midjourney
She also often mentions how her back pain keeps her from doing too much. I appreciate that she might be in discomfort, but it leaves me to manage everything—meals, cleaning, and, most of all, taking care of our son.
Each day feels like a marathon. I’m up with the baby several times at night, and by the time the sun rises, I’m already exhausted but need to start my day. Breakfast needs to be made, then the endless cycle of laundry, cleaning up, and of course, ensuring our little one is fed, changed, and happy.
Exhausted Allison | Source: Midjourney
Babies sure know how to double your laundry load! By mid-morning, I’ve usually forgotten about rest, my hair is a mess, and I’ve probably reheated my morning coffee three times already.
During these mornings and afternoons, my MIL continues her marathon too—of TV episodes. Occasionally, she’ll mention how much she wishes she could help more but is just too sore to move. Yet, as evening approaches, something remarkable happens. Her pain seems to miraculously fade, especially when her friends come over.
Mother-in-law having her tea party | Source: Midjourney
They don’t come every night, but when they do, it’s like a switch flips. Suddenly, she’s lively, chatting, and laughing, playing the perfect hostess in our kitchen, which she rarely uses for anything other than making coffee during the day.
Her transformation during these gatherings is stark. It’s confusing and, honestly, a bit hurtful. I find myself wondering how she can so easily entertain guests but not assist with simple tasks that would give me a moment to breathe or, dare I say, take a nap.
The tea party | Source: Midjourney
This contrast in her behavior has left me feeling both frustrated and skeptical of her claims of pain. I’m left to juggle the joys and trials of new motherhood essentially on my own.
This isn’t what I expected when we agreed that she would come to help. It’s a daily struggle, but I keep reminding myself that this phase won’t last forever. Still, a little genuine help would make a world of difference.
Tired Allison listens in | Source: Midjourney
Last night, something happened that turned my usual frustration into outright anger. I was finishing up some late-night cleaning when I heard laughter and chatter from the kitchen.
My MIL was there, hosting her friends as she often does when she transforms in the evenings. Curious, I paused to listen, not intending to eavesdrop, but what I heard left me stunned and hurt.
My MIL was speaking loudly, and clearly, telling her friends that she’s been the one taking care of everything at home. She claimed she was cooking, cleaning, and mostly caring for my baby. Then, she added something that really got to me.
Mother-in-law complains about Allison | Source: Midjourney
She said, “I don’t know what Sammy saw in her; she’s just lazing around all day, a real couch potato.” Her words were like a slap in the face. There I was, barely keeping my eyes open from exhaustion, and she was painting a picture of me as lazy and uninvolved.
The sense of betrayal was overwhelming. I felt anger boiling inside me. How could she lie so blatantly? How could she discredit all my efforts? It wasn’t just the physical exhaustion of caring for a newborn and a household that hurt. It was the emotional pain of being so unfairly judged in my own home.
Angry Allison | Source: Midjourney
I knew I couldn’t just confront her; that would only lead to more tension. So, I came up with a plan. A way to show her friends the truth without causing a scene. I decided I would invite them over myself, but earlier than they usually come. This way, they could see the real situation. They would see who was really on the couch and who was handling the chores and the baby.
So, today, I sent out a few messages, arranging for her friends to come over for what I called a special brunch. I planned it during a time when I usually have my hands full with baby duties and household chores.
Coincidentally, this was the time when my MIL usually settles in for her morning of TV. It was a simple plan, but I hoped it would reveal the truth. Maybe, just maybe, I could make her realize how her words and actions affect others around her.
Allison calls her mother-in-law’s friends | Source: Midjourney
This morning was a turning point in my home. I had planned a special brunch, inviting my mother-in-law’s friends to arrive much earlier than their usual evening visits. I was nervous but hopeful that today would bring some much-needed change.
As her friends arrived, they found my MIL asleep on the sofa with the TV blaring some morning show. There I was, in the next room, soothing my little boy who wasn’t feeling well. His little cries filled the air, quite the contrast to the usual laughter that echoes from the kitchen during her evening get-togethers.
Little crying boy | Source: Midjourney
The surprise on her friends’ faces was evident as they walked in. They weren’t used to seeing this scene. My MIL woke up, clearly disoriented and embarrassed, scrambling to turn off the TV and smooth out her hair. She tried to laugh it off, mumbling about not expecting anyone so early.
I took this opportunity to ask for her help with some simple tasks. First, I asked her to change the baby’s diaper. I told her the new diapers were in their usual place.
Mother-in-law tries to find the diapers | Source: Midjourney
She hesitated, fumbled through the drawers, and couldn’t find them. I had to step in to show her where they were, something so routine for me, yet unfamiliar to her.
Then, as I started preparing food for everyone, I asked her to fetch the big salad bowl from the cabinet. Again, she looked lost in her own kitchen, opening the wrong cabinets before I guided her to the right one. Her friends watched, slowly piecing together the reality of the situation.
Mother-in-law struggles to find a bowl | Source: Midjourney
The atmosphere shifted noticeably. There were no more chuckles or light banter. Instead, an uncomfortable silence filled the room as her friends saw the truth behind the daily life in our home. My MIL’s face reddened with embarrassment as she realized how her stories had unraveled.
The morning progressed, and her friends began to help with the brunch, seeing firsthand how much I managed on my own. As they left, their parting looks were filled with a mix of sympathy and a new understanding.
MIL’s friends look at Allison | Source: Midjourney
After everyone had gone, there was a quiet moment between my MIL and me. It was awkward at first, but then she began to apologize. She admitted that she had been unfair and promised to start helping more genuinely. I could see she was sincere, maybe embarrassed by her own actions being brought to light.
From that day forward, things began to change. My MIL started taking on more responsibilities around the house and with her grandson. She wasn’t perfect overnight, but the effort was real. We started to find a new rhythm together, cooperating and sharing the duties that come with maintaining a home and caring for a child.
Allison and her mother-in-law cradle her son | Source: Midjourney
This experience taught us both valuable lessons in honesty and respect. It wasn’t just about exposing the lies; it was about rebuilding trust and understanding the real meaning of family support. Now, I can genuinely say our home feels more balanced and peaceful. It’s amazing how much can change when the truth comes to light.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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