Question

Maybelline falls down a well and is saved when her neighbor Ruben makes a very daring rescue. Ruben hoists her to safety, and Maybelline hugs him and promises him a check for $100,000 for his kindness. Ruben is delighted and when Maybelline visits him the next day and again mentions the $100,000, he tells her that he is going to quit his job as a preschool music teacher and use the money to start a business. Two days later he resigns from the nursery school and calls Maybelline and asks when he can expect his money. He is startled when she replies that she is not going to give him a cent. Will a court enforce Maybelline's promise?

Answer 1

Yes, the court should enforce Maybelline's promise since Ruben relied on it. Maybelline offered Ruben the money not once, but twice, so Ruben had sufficient reasons to believe that she would fulfill her promise. Ruben suffered since she didn't fulfill her promise, so the court should rule in his favor.