Brandon shuffled inside the gas station with his paper cup of change. Hearing a loud voice near an aisle distracted him. A throng of irate consumers waited behind an elderly guy with hearing problems.
“I’m sorry, what did you say about the water being funny?” the old guy asked the cashier.
Money!” she moaned. Sir, I stated you don’t have enough money!
The man frowned and said, “Yes, it was a sunny day!”
“You need money! For water!” Behind the man, a younger man grabbed his shoulder and roared into his ears.
Brandon noticed everything. He considered intervening, but he didn’t want to anger the consumers. The elderly man said he didn’t have enough money and asked for a smaller bottle of water to take his pills.
“You must leave if you cannot pay!” yelled the cashier.
“I can go?” He grinned and left, but the clerk grabbed his water bottle. Hissed, “Just get out, old man!” “You’re too much trouble!”
The elderly man begged to take his medicines but was ignored.
Brandon was done. He approached the cashier and offered to pay for the old man.
He responded, “Have a heart, lady,” and emptied his cup on the counter. Before counting the money, she scowled at him.
That’ll cover it,” she said, taking his last $2 and all the money. Move aside. Holding the line.”
Brandon left his can of beans on the counter while giving the elderly man water.
Sir, here goes. He said, “I got you water,” slowly and clearly so the man could see his face before lip-reading. The man thanked him. They left the store and Brandon went to his tent on the empty lot next to the station, but the man stopped him.
“Wait!”
Brandon turned.
“Why did you help me when you needed money?” Asks the old man.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being homeless, sir,” Brandon remarked, “it’s that the world works when people are kind.”
“What will your kids eat? You left beans on the counter.”
“We have the last of yesterday’s bread,” Brandon said. “We’ll survive.”
The man left frowning. Brandon asked why a man like him couldn’t afford a glass of water after seeing him drive a shiny SUV.
A silver vehicle drew up to Brandon’s tent the next day as he distributed cold fries to his youngsters. An elegant-suited man approached.
“Good morning, sir. He handed you an envelope, saying Mr. Grives’s dying desire was for me to deliver this.
Brandon accepted it with wiped hands. A letter was inside.
“Dear Sir,
Yesterday, you showed your good character by spending your last few bucks on me. Your kindness and belief in doing good for others motivated me to give you my business, the best gift.
My time on Earth is ending. I’ve realized my kid is selfish and heartless, so I’m worried about leaving my company to him. I’d feel better if you inherited the company. I just want you to keep my son safe and comfortable.”
Is this a joke? Brandon stared up at him.
A stack of printed papers and a pen were prepared. “Mr. Grives was serious. Once you sign these documents, it’s official.”
“But I met him yesterday. He’s dead and leaving me everything? Brandon inquired while reviewing materials.
Sir, I understand your concerns, however these papers were drawn by the best lawyers. We just need your name, and the attorneys will handle the rest.”
Brandon signed it to provide for his kids. His driver took him and the kids to their new home.
Brandon looked up at the huge home when they arrived.
Brandon scarcely believed it. But when he opened the double doors, he felt uneasy. A hallway table was on its side and a cupboard was overturned.
Brandon dropped the luggage, chased the car, and told the driver to call 911. A few hours later, he spoke to police among smashed sofas and chairs.
“We’ve examined the entire house and found no sign of forced entry, sir,” the officer stated. The fact that the security system appears to have been overcome with the correct code shows that whoever destroyed this place had a lawful way in.
Like a key? So the perpetrator walked in?
“I’d suggest you change the locks, sir,” the officer said.
As the police left, Brandon suspected the elderly man’s son.
Next day, Mr. Grives’ secretary arrived early. She took Brandon shopping and to the barber before taking him to work. Brandon was preparing to browse the computer files in Mr. Grives’ office when the doors burst open.
“You must be Brandon!” A middle-aged dark-suited man entered the office. “I’m Christopher, one of Mr. Grives’s former business partners, and I’ll save you from a lot of trouble.”
I’m sorry? Brandon asks.
Christopher sold for one of Mr. Grives’s ‘specific’ enterprises. Brandon realized it was illegal. He stopped, but Christopher wouldn’t.
“Hear up, idiot! Grives owing me $2 million for his illegal business! “You’re responsible for that,” he growled. “If you don’t pay, I’ll tell the police everything. Furthermore, as firm owner, you are liable for all damages. I expect my $2 million on Saturday.”
“What? Extortion! Can you be serious? Brandon replied.
Yes, it is. Just in case you doubt my seriousness… Christopher pulled aside his suit jacket and touched the g.u.n butt at his side. Rest assured, Brandon, I will make you disappear if you cross me.
Brandon said nothing and accepted Christopher’s demands. However, he suspected Christopher of fraud. Brandon sought for signs of this illegal company.
After evaluating data from all departments, Brandon was sure Christopher was lying by evening. However, he noticed the filing cabinet in a corner. After finding the keys on his desk, Brandon opened it. A vintage file box was his first discovery in the drawer.
Brandon saw a ledger with shorthand entries and knew Christopher wasn’t lying. He searched a drawer for scotch bottles but only found a photo, in despair.
Mr. Grives was pictured with a younger individual. Brandon gasped when he saw how similar they looked. Mr. Grives’ son Christopher was there!
Brandon began to understand. He couldn’t believe a kind man like Mr. Grives would engage in unlawful enterprise. Brandon concluded that Christopher was blackmailing him with his dirty dealings.
A lucky break and a tragic twist that threatened to ruin it all—everything was happening too quickly. Luckily, Brandon was accustomed with business whirlwinds.
Brandon met Christopher in the underground parking lot on Saturday with a counteroffer.
Brandon added, “I’ve got to keep my word to your old man, so I’ll give you 49 percent of the company while I keep 51 percent. That should let you live lavishly, right? I may run the company as your father did.”
Christopher declined. “Not a fool! I deserved everything, not a token! Let’s speak when you make sense!” hissed and left.
Brandon returned to work. He wanted to pay Christopher $2 million and be done, but the company’s money was in assets or monthly costs. Brandon was powerless.
Dejected, he returned home to further turmoil. Upon opening the front door, he saw his kids’ babysitter tied to a chair and gagged.
He took the kids! He stated this should be your wake-up call!” He liberated her and she cried, and Brandon understood who she was talking about.
Brandon called Christopher and offered the company, pleading not to injure the kids. They resolved to meet at noon. Brandon phoned the police and met an FBI agent within 30 minutes.
“Just follow my instructions to get your kids back…” Agent Bates promised.
Christopher was lounging by a rented hotel pool around midday. He kept Brandon’s kids in a closet and fired all hotel workers save the manager, whom he compensated well.
“Excuse me, sir,” the manager said. You have a package.”
Christopher smiled while checking the envelope. He went to his room and signed the envelope’s paperwork. He finally owned the corporation! He released Brandon’s kids. I’m confident ragamuffins like you three can find your way. Get lost!”
]Chris finished getting ready. He suddenly heard a click behind him. Christopher knew the quiet sound of a g.u.n’s safety switch.
“FBI! Raise your hands! You’re arrested.”
Brandon clutched his kids on the sidewalk. A tracker in the documents helped Agent Bates catch Christopher.
Brandon took the kids home to fix things. He gave up the company’s documents and the ledger he found in his office to the FBI’s fraud division when they arrived with a warrant, knowing he wouldn’t have a penny by the end of the inquiry. Yet he’d be free.
“Daddy, will we leave our home after Mommy expired?” He was asked by Kelly.
Brandon kneeled and hugged his kids.
Listen, three, we’ll be OK. Want to know why?
Kelly, Derrick, and Sam, his middle child, nodded enthusiastically.
“Because our most valuable asset is in my arms. If we stick together, we’ll always be rich in love, the most important thing.”
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