Marge and Bartholomew Taylor were multi-millionaire business proprietors who operated a multi-million dollar enterprise. They only had one child, a 21-year-old son called Robert.
They had been grooming Robert to take over the family company since he was a toddler. He was sent to the city’s top private school and interned at many high-profile firms.
When he went to college, he chose to go to a well-known school that gives scholarships to students who do well in school. There, he encountered individuals from all walks of life, motivating him to remain humble about his family history.
Robert disliked showing off his money. He was a down-to-earth individual who dressed casually, wearing a basic shirt and pants to school every day. He drove a basic vehicle to school every day, just like everyone else at his institution, and anyone who didn’t know his family would not guess he was wealthy.
Robert returned home to his folks one weekend with an important message. “Mom and dad, you might want to sit down for what I’m about to say,” he said as the three of them sat in the living room.
“What exactly is it, Robert? You’re terrifying me, “Marge informed her son while sitting on the couch.
“So, as you can see, I have a girlfriend. Elizabeth is her given name “He began to speak. Marge and Bartholomew’s eyes widened as they waited for Robert to meet his opponent.
“That’s fantastic, son! “What is her surname, and what business does her family own?” Bartholomew inquired.
Robert remained mute. He was aware that his parents wanted him to present someone affluent, but his girlfriend hailed from a low-income family.
“Elizabeth’s parents do not own a business, dad. “They are workers,” Robert elaborated. “That is not what I came here to tell you. There’s another thing, He gulped as he spoke. He was terrified about how his parents would respond.
“What could be more unexpected than what you’ve just revealed to us, Robert?” You choose to date someone from a different socioeconomic class. That will cause a slew of issues! His mother said, almost insultingly.
“Well, Elizabeth is pregnant, and I’ve made the decision to marry her.”
An uneasy quiet enveloped the room as soon as Robert uttered that. His parents were flabbergasted in the face of what he had just spoken.
“Oh, goodness. I’m going to pass out, Bartholomew. I’m going to pass out! Robert! “How could you be so daring? pass out, Bartholomew. I’m going to pass out! Robert! “How could you be so daring?” Marge murmured as she clutched her husband’s arm.
“I apologize, Mom. I adore her and am confident that she is the lady I want to spend the rest of my life with. “Robert was adamant.
“You’re 21! I’m sure she just slept with you because she knew how wealthy you were. Robert, how could you?” Marge screamed.
“That is not correct, Mom. I’ve never informed her anything about our family history. She had no idea we own a business. I told her you and your father worked in business. What we have is genuine “Robert informed his mother, but she refused to budge.
“That’s OK. We’re going to put your girlfriend and her family to the test to discover whether what you have is genuine. We’ll meet them under the garb of provincials “Marge informed her son. Marge refused to listen to Robert’s objections.
“If your bride fails the exam, we will cancel the wedding and cut you out totally,” Bartholomew stated, standing beside his wife.
Bartholomew and Marge got to work on their idea. They donned the oldest shoes in their wardrobe and wore worn-out apparel from a flea market. To add to the realism, Bartholomew got out an old cane and pretended to be lame.
Robert informed Elizabeth that they would be visiting her home to finally meet their families. When Elizabeth opened the door to see Robert and his parents, she was taken aback by how they appeared.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she said with a smile. “Thank you so much for taking the time to visit. Please enter.” She widened the entrance so her guests could walk in easily.
Bartholomew and Marge took a brief look around the modest house, assessing it for its age. They did their hardest to stay in character, despite the fact that the strong fragrance from the kitchen pervaded the entire home.
“Thank you, sweetie,” Marge responded, still playing the poor provincial. “I’m sorry we couldn’t bring you anything.” “You see, we’re now cash-strapped.”
“Oh, my goodness. Mrs. Taylor, you didn’t need to bring anything in the first place. Please make yourself at home. My mother is preparing supper for the entire family. “Elizabeth smiled as she led them into the living room.
When she observed Bartholomew hobbling, she took his arm in hers and led him to the most comfortable chair in the room so he could sit. Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel upset as they sat next to each other after seeing the situation with Robert’s parents.
Elizabeth’s parents, Matthew and Elsa, emerged from the kitchen after a time. They smiled and embraced Bartholomew and Marge as if they’d known each other for years.
“It’s great to have you here! We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us. “We adore Robert, so it’s great to finally meet his parents,” Elizabeth’s father stated.
Marge and Bartholomew were beginning to feel horrible about their idea, but they persisted. “Perhaps they’re simply putting on a show,” Marge reasoned.
However, as the night progressed, Marge and Bartholomew concluded that Elizabeth and her parents were simply pleasant folks. Marge felt bad for faking, so she decided to tell them the truth over dinner.
“I can’t do it anymore,” she said. “I apologize to Elizabeth, Matthew, and Elsa. The fact is that we are not truly impoverished. We own a multi-million dollar firm that has been in operation for over a decade. We arrived disguised as provincials, convinced that you were duping our son into marriage for our money. Now I feel bad since that is completely false. You are all such kind and thoughtful people. Their love is genuine, as Robert stated, “She sobbed.”
Elizabeth and her parents were surprised and, to be honest, saddened that Robert’s parents thought that way about them. They were not the sort to harbor grudges, so they let go of all judgment and chose to start again.
“It’s all right, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. I understand how unexpected and stressful it must be to find out that your son is getting married and about to become a parent, especially given that you’ve never met me. Elizabeth expressed her regret: “I apologize for disappointing you.”
Marge raised her head. “No way, sweetheart. We apologize for misjudging you. What’s important is that you have a nice house filled with affection. “To get your marriage off to a good start, Bartholomew and I would like to present you two with a new home in which you may construct a lovely family filled with love.”
Matthew and Elsa chimed in. “Ah, Marge, very wonderful of you, but these young youngsters need to learn how to earn money for themselves,” Elsa remarked. Matthew agreed with his wife and stated:
“Only through hard labor do you begin to appreciate what you have.”
Marge smiled as Matthew and Elsa tried to teach their children. “You are correct,” she responded. “Just know that we will always be here to support and assist you when you create your own family.”
Following their meeting, Marge, Bartholomew, Matthew, and Elsa assisted their children in planning a magnificent wedding for their family and friends. Marge and Bartholomew were glad to pay for the wedding, demonstrating how much they grew to adore Elizabeth as their only son’s future bride.
Elizabeth and Robert’s parents became closest friends after months of preparing together and sat next to each other while their children exchanged vows at the altar. They had a wonderful evening together and continued to come together as a family on weekends and holidays.
In the end, Marge and Bartholomew were relieved to discover that genuine riches aren’t measured by how much money you have but by how you nurture your relationships over time. Despite continuing to preserve money for their grandchildren’s inheritance, they donated a portion of their assets to charity, inspired by the generosity of their in-laws.