A millionaire tests his girlfriend’s intentions by taking her to an old, rundown house and proposing.

Andrew Hardy grew up in an unhappy household. His mother married his father for his wealth, and after giving birth to Andrew, she saw her job as done. Andrew watched his father’s sadness and knew that his dad deeply loved a woman who didn’t care for him and only sought luxury and status. Andrew vowed never to marry someone like his mother; he was determined to find genuine love.

Andrew spent years away, studying at university in England and completing his postgraduate degree in Australia. When he returned home, he realized he didn’t have many connections in town aside from his father and grandmother. His mother had divorced his dad long ago and remarried, never bothering to reach out to Andrew. So when Andrew came back, he was just another new face, and nobody knew he was the only heir to Hardy Industries. He liked it that way.

“Dad, I was thinking about joining the company,” Andrew told his father one day.

Danton’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that! You can start as vice president of marketing.”

Andrew shook his head. “No, I want to start at the bottom, as an intern. I don’t want anyone knowing I’m your son.”

Danton frowned. “Are you sure? The pay isn’t much.”

Andrew laughed. “I’ll be fine, Dad. I can still live at home, right?” His father nodded, smiling at his son’s determination.

Andrew bought a modest second-hand car and a wardrobe that fit the part of an intern. He started working at his dad’s company and genuinely enjoyed it. He made friends with his coworkers, especially a fellow intern named Cynthia, who soon became his best friend.

Then, one day, Andrew was jogging past a Starbucks when a young woman walked out and accidentally bumped into him, spilling her coffee all over him. Andrew looked up, and his breath caught—she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, looking flustered.

“That’s okay,” Andrew replied, still staring in awe. Then he blurted out, “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Will you have coffee with me?”

She laughed, introducing herself as Linda, and agreed. They ended up going on a date, and soon, they started seeing each other regularly. Andrew was completely smitten and believed Linda was the one. He even shared his feelings with his grandmother.

But his grandmother wasn’t as enthusiastic. “Sweetheart, just because she’s beautiful doesn’t mean she has a good heart,” she warned.

“Gran, she doesn’t know I’m wealthy. She thinks I’m just an intern at Hardy Industries!” Andrew protested.

“That might be true, but remember, you don’t truly know her either,” his grandmother replied.

Andrew considered her words but was still convinced Linda was genuine. He discussed Linda with Cynthia once, and Cynthia’s response gave him pause. “I went to high school with Linda,” she said. “She’s always been ambitious… very ambitious.”

“So am I,” Andrew snapped, feeling defensive. Cynthia didn’t press the issue, though she worried for her friend, knowing Linda wouldn’t settle for a poor intern.

Determined to know Linda’s true character, Andrew devised a plan. He bought a stunning five-carat diamond ring and rented a rundown house in a modest neighborhood. Then he invited Linda over for a surprise.

He led Linda into the old house, where candles and rose petals attempted to disguise the worn-out furniture. Andrew knelt and presented the ring.

“Linda,” he said, his eyes shining with love, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

Linda looked around in disbelief. “Marry you?” she scoffed. “Are you serious?”

Andrew nodded, smiling. “Yes, I’m completely serious.”

Linda laughed. “Look at this place. Do you really think I belong here? I thought we were just having fun. I want more than this.”

Andrew, still kneeling, tried to reason with her. “I know you deserve better, but—”

“Better? You bet I do!” she interrupted, glaring at the ring. “Is this the biggest fake diamond you could find? I need a man with means.” With that, she stormed out, leaving Andrew heartbroken.

In the following days, Cynthia noticed Andrew was different. He’d lost his usual smile, looked tired, and seemed deeply sad. One day, she gently approached him.

“She’s not worth it, Andrew,” Cynthia said.

“What do you mean?” Andrew asked, confused.

“Linda… I should’ve warned you. She always said she’d marry rich. I could see she wasn’t serious about you.”

“Shut up!” Andrew shouted, his voice filled with pain. “You don’t know anything!” Cynthia turned pale and quietly left. Instantly, Andrew regretted his outburst. He tried calling her, texting her, but she didn’t respond. The next day, he brought flowers to apologize, but Cynthia had requested a transfer to a different department. Andrew felt devastated—he had pushed away his one true friend for a gold digger.

Weeks went by, and Andrew missed Cynthia more with each passing day. He remembered their laughter, her kindness, and how genuine she was. He knew he had to make things right.

One evening, he knocked on her door, heart pounding. When she answered, he held out the bouquet, looking at her with earnest eyes. “I’m so sorry, Cynthia. Please forgive me. Be my friend again.”

Cynthia shook her head. “Andrew, I can’t. When you started dating Linda, I realized… I love you.”

Before she could say anything else, Andrew pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

A year later, Andrew and Cynthia were married. Their love story made headlines, with the newspaper reading, “Heir to Hardy Industries Marries in Romantic Ceremony.” Linda, sipping her morning coffee, realized she had let a millionaire slip through her fingers.