Family Values

I just saw this story about a Lottery winner. He has just won £14.2 million and has asked his long lost son to make contact, promising to make him a millionaire. Well, surprise surprise! Said son is apparently looking forward to seeing his father again after 6 years. I expect he is also looking forward to seeing his next bank statement.

OK, perhaps I'm being overly cynical, and by the sound of it neither father nor son have bothered to try and speak to each other. But for a feel-good story it does come over as fairly mercenary on both sides. Is the father trying to buy his son's affection with a hefty wad of cash? Would the son bother if there was no money forthcoming?