A billionaire puts his lover to the test by bringing her to his home and making a marriage proposal.

Andrew Hardy had grown up in a difficult environment. His mother had married his dad for his money, and after Andrew was born, she regarded her job done.

Andrew had seen his father’s grief and realized that he actually loved a lady who had no regard for him and lived solely for wealth and position. Andrew was certain that he would never marry a gold digger. His life was about to change drastically.

Andrew believed that the historic mansion would be the ideal location for his proposal.

Andrew had gone to university in the UK and then to Australia for his post-graduate degree, so when he returned home, he had little link to the town other than from his grandfather and father.

His mom had long ago divorced and married again and had never gotten in touch with her son. So Andrew was a newcomer to town, and no one knew he was the son of Danton Hardy, the only heir to Hardy Industries, which suited him fine.

«Dad,» Andrew addressed his father. «I was wondering…» «How about I begin to work for the company?»

Danton was overjoyed. «That would be fantastic!» he said. «You may begin as the vice president of marketing.»

Andrew desired to meet a girl who would love him for himself.

Andrew, on the other hand, was nodding his head. «No!» he exclaimed. «I want to work my way up from the bottom, and I don’t want anyone to know I’m the owner’s son.» «Please hire me as an intern in your marketing department.»

Danton smirked. «Are you certain? The remuneration isn’t very good! »

Andrew smiled. «That’s fine!» «Can’t I now live at home?» Danton chuckled and said, «Of course he can.»

Andrew went out and purchased a modest used car and an outfit worthy of an intern’s income. He began working at his father’s firm and enjoyed it. He developed a relationship with new people and made new friends with several of his coworkers, notably his fellow intern, Cynthia, a nice girl who immediately became his closest friend.

Andrew purchased himself an ancient car.

Andrew was out running one day when he went by a Starbucks. When a female came out, she didn’t see Andrew and ran directly into him. Her coffee soared in the air and sprayed Andrew, as was unavoidable.

«Oh my God,» said the girl. «I’m very sorry!»

«That’s OK,» Andrew responded, his mouth wide open. He’d never seen a more lovely woman.

The young lady seems concerned. «Are you okay?» she inquired.

He landed a position as an intern at his father’s firm.

«You’re the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen,» Andrew continued, «will you kindly have coffee with me?» Linda, the girl’s name, burst out laughing. She met Andrew over coffee, and they began dating shortly after.

Andrew was madly in love with Linda. He told his grandma about it, but she scowled. «Sweetheart, just because you have a nice face doesn’t mean you have a decent heart,» she said.

«Gran,» Andrew argued. «Linda believes I’m an intern at Hardy Industries; she has no idea who I am!»

«Andrew,» the grandma gently whispered. «You have no idea who she is either!»
After a few days, they began dating.

Andrew gave it a lot of thought and even told Cynthia about Linda. Cynthia shouted, «I know her from high school! She’s lovely…and ambitious. »

«So am I,» Andrew remarked sarcastically, and Cynthia remained silent. She could see Andrew was smitten with Linda, but she knew her former classmate well. Linda would never accept a subpar intern!

Kindness and honesty are the most valuable qualities in a buddy.

Andrew devised a strategy. He went diamond shopping and leased a shabby old home in a poor but respected area, then contacted Linda and said he had a surprise for her.

Linda was driven to the ancient home and taken inside. He’d lighted a hundred candles and spread rose petals on the floor, creating the ideal scene for a passionate proposal.

Cynthia wanted to alert Andrew about Linda.

Linda was staring at him in contempt as Andrew kneeled at her feet. The candles and rose petals couldn’t hide the shabby condition of the furnishings…

Then Andrew pulled out his lovely ring and gave it to Linda. «I love you, Linda,» he replied, «and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.» » Will you marry me?»

Linda looked at Andrew in surprise. «Will you marry me?» «Are you sure?»

Andrew was glistening with affection. «Dead serious,» he said, smiling.

In the ancient home, Andrew proposed to Linda.

Linda burst out laughing. «You think this rat hole is where a girl like me belongs?» she said, motioning with her hand. Take it seriously! I assumed you were aware. We were just having fun, Andrew! »

«Listen, Linda,» Andrew stood up, «I know you deserve better…»

«Of course I do!» «And the ring!» she laughed. «What is it?» What was the largest zirconia you could find? It’s scruffy, just like you! You realize that when I marry, it will be to a wealthy man? » And she turned and walked away, leaving Andrew broken.

Cynthia could tell that there was something wrong with Andrew after a few days. He no longer smiled or laughed, he had lost weight, and he seemed forlorn. «Andrew,» she softly whispered, «She’s not worth the risk.»

«I assumed you were aware.» We were just having fun, Andrew! »

«What?» Andrew inquired. «What exactly do you mean?»

Cynthia explained, «Linda.» I should have informed you, but you were so head over heels… Linda, you know, constantly claimed in high school that she was going to marry a wealthy man. I knew she was tricking you.

«Stop talking!» «Andrew!» yelled. I don’t want to hear what you’re saying. Do you believe you’re my friend? You have no idea who I am! » Cynthia stepped out of the office, her face pallid. Andrew hated his reaction as soon as she was gone.

He called Cynthia, but she did not answer. He texted her, but she did not respond. Andrew purchased a large arrangement of flowers for Cynthia on his way to work the following morning, but she wasn’t there when he arrived.

When Andrew inquired about Cynthia’s whereabouts, his office supervisor informed him that she had requested to be moved to another department. The young man was heartbroken. He had wronged his one and only loyal buddy for the sake of money!

He missed Cynthia more and more as the weeks went by. He recalled how much fun they’d had and how nice and wonderful Cynthia was. He resolved to win back his pal.

He rang on Cynthia’s door and anxiously waited for her to answer it. «I’m sorry,» he apologized. «Please forgive me, Cynthia. Be my buddy once again. »

Cynthia’s head trembled. «I can’t, Andrew. I understood I was in love with you when you began dating Linda. But before she could finish her sentence, Andrew had wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

Everything worked out the way it usually does when two good hearts meet, and Andrew and Cynthia were married a year later.

Linda was taken aback when she read the headlines, «Hardy Industry Heir Marries in Romantic Ceremony,» alongside a picture of Andrew and Cynthia kissing over her morning coffee. She’d blown her chance at being a millionaire.