Sam Sutton invented a revolutionary engine sealant, making his family wealthy, but the money couldn’t save his wife, Rain, from illness. After her passing, Sam focused on raising his son, Will, who, in high school, became popular for his family’s wealth. But Will soon realized that people only wanted him for his dad’s money, including a girl he liked. Determined to find genuine friends, Will decided to attend Yale as a “scholarship student,” wearing second-hand clothes to avoid being seen as rich.
At Yale, Will found true friends and a girl he loved, Eddy. When they became engaged, Eddy’s wealthy parents, Marta and Farlow, disapproved of Will’s humble appearance. To teach them a lesson, Sam pretended to be poor when he visited their home for Christmas. Farlow mocked Sam’s clothes, but Sam surprised Eddy by giving her and Will the deed to a brownstone in Manhattan, revealing his true wealth. This gesture earned Eddy’s parents’ respect and support for their marriage.
Sam’s lesson: love and respect can’t be bought, and people shouldn’t be judged by their appearance. Will and Eddy eventually married and moved to New York, where Sam bought a house next door to be close to them.