Brandon shuffled inside the gas station with his paper cup of change. Hearing a loud voice near an aisle distracted him. <\/p>\n
A throng of irate consumers waited behind an elderly guy with hearing problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, what did you say about the water being funny?\u201d the old guy asked the cashier.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoney!\u201d she moaned. Sir, I stated you don\u2019t have enough money!<\/p>\n
The man frowned and said, \u201cYes, it was a sunny day!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need money! For water!\u201d Behind the man, a younger man grabbed his shoulder and roared into his ears.<\/p>\n
Brandon noticed everything. He considered intervening, but he didn\u2019t want to anger the consumers. <\/p>\n
The elderly man said he didn\u2019t have enough money and asked for a smaller bottle of water to take his pills.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must leave if you cannot pay!\u201d yelled the cashier.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can go?\u201d He grinned and left, but the clerk grabbed his water bottle. Hissed, \u201cJust get out, old man!\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re too much trouble!\u201d<\/p>\n
The elderly man begged to take his medicines but was ignored.<\/p>\n
Brandon was done. He approached the cashier and offered to pay for the old man.<\/p>\n
He responded, \u201cHave a heart, lady,\u201d and emptied his cup on the counter. Before counting the money, she scowled at him.<\/p>\n
That\u2019ll cover it,\u201d she said, taking his last $2 and all the money. Move aside. Holding the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brandon left his can of beans on the counter while giving the elderly man water.<\/p>\n
Sir, here goes. He said, \u201cI got you water,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait!\u201d<\/p>\n
Brandon turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy did you help me when you needed money?\u201d Asks the old man.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned from being homeless, sir,\u201d Brandon remarked, \u201cit\u2019s that the world works when people are kind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat will your kids eat? You left beans on the counter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the last of yesterday\u2019s bread,\u201d Brandon said. \u201cWe\u2019ll survive.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man left frowning. Brandon asked why a man like him couldn\u2019t afford a glass of water after seeing him drive a shiny SUV.<\/p>\n
A silver vehicle drew up to Brandon\u2019s tent the next day as he distributed cold fries to his youngsters. An elegant-suited man approached.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, sir. He handed you an envelope, saying Mr. Grives\u2019s dying desire was for me to deliver this.<\/p>\n
Brandon accepted it with wiped hands. A letter was inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cDear Sir,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
My time on Earth is ending. I\u2019ve realized my kid is selfish and heartless, so I\u2019m worried about leaving my company to him. I\u2019d feel better if you inherited the company. I just want you to keep my son safe and comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Is this a joke? Brandon stared up at him.<\/p>\n
A stack of printed papers and a pen were prepared. \u201cMr. Grives was serious. Once you sign these documents, it\u2019s official.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I met him yesterday. He\u2019s dead and leaving me everything? Brandon inquired while reviewing materials.<\/p>\n
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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brandon signed it to provide for his kids. His driver took him and the kids to their new home.<\/p>\n
Brandon looked up at the huge home when they arrived.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve examined the entire house and found no sign of forced entry, sir,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Like a key? So the perpetrator walked in?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d suggest you change the locks, sir,\u201d the officer said.<\/p>\n
As the police left, Brandon suspected the elderly man\u2019s son.<\/p>\n
Next day, Mr. Grives\u2019 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\u2019 office when the doors burst open.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must be Brandon!\u201d A middle-aged dark-suited man entered the office. \u201cI\u2019m Christopher, one of Mr. Grives\u2019s former business partners, and I\u2019ll save you from a lot of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sorry? Brandon asks.<\/p>\n
Christopher sold for one of Mr. Grives\u2019s \u2018specific\u2019 enterprises. Brandon realized it was illegal. He stopped, but Christopher wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cHear up, idiot! Grives owing me $2 million for his illegal business! \u201cYou\u2019re responsible for that,\u201d he growled. \u201cIf you don\u2019t pay, I\u2019ll tell the police everything. Furthermore, as firm owner, you are liable for all damages. I expect my $2 million on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Extortion! Can you be serious? Brandon replied.<\/p>\n
Yes, it is. Just in case you doubt my seriousness\u2026 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.<\/p>\n
Brandon said nothing and accepted Christopher\u2019s demands. However, he suspected Christopher of fraud. Brandon sought for signs of this illegal company.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Brandon saw a ledger with shorthand entries and knew Christopher wasn\u2019t lying. He searched a drawer for scotch bottles but only found a photo, in despair.<\/p>\n
Mr. Grives was pictured with a younger individual. Brandon gasped when he saw how similar they looked. Mr. Grives\u2019 son Christopher was there!<\/p>\n
Brandon began to understand. He couldn\u2019t believe a kind man like Mr. Grives would engage in unlawful enterprise. Brandon concluded that Christopher was blackmailing him with his dirty dealings.<\/p>\n
A lucky break and a tragic twist that threatened to ruin it all\u2014everything was happening too quickly. Luckily, Brandon was accustomed with business whirlwinds.<\/p>\n
Brandon met Christopher in the underground parking lot on Saturday with a counteroffer.<\/p>\n
Brandon added, \u201cI\u2019ve got to keep my word to your old man, so I\u2019ll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christopher declined. \u201cNot a fool! I deserved everything, not a token! Let\u2019s speak when you make sense!\u201d hissed and left.<\/p>\n
Brandon returned to work. He wanted to pay Christopher $2 million and be done, but the company\u2019s money was in assets or monthly costs. Brandon was powerless.<\/p>\n
Dejected, he returned home to further turmoil. Upon opening the front door, he saw his kids\u2019 babysitter tied to a chair and gagged.<\/p>\n
He took the kids! He stated this should be your wake-up call!\u201d He liberated her and she cried, and Brandon understood who she was talking about.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust follow my instructions to get your kids back\u2026\u201d Agent Bates promised.<\/p>\n
Christopher was lounging by a rented hotel pool around midday. He kept Brandon\u2019s kids in a closet and fired all hotel workers save the manager, whom he compensated well.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me, sir,\u201d the manager said. You have a package.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christopher smiled while checking the envelope. He went to his room and signed the envelope\u2019s paperwork. He finally owned the corporation! He released Brandon\u2019s kids. I\u2019m confident ragamuffins like you three can find your way. Get lost!\u201d<\/p>\n
]Chris finished getting ready. He suddenly heard a click behind him. Christopher knew the quiet sound of a g.u.n\u2019s safety switch.<\/p>\n
\u201cFBI! Raise your hands! You\u2019re arrested.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brandon clutched his kids on the sidewalk. A tracker in the documents helped Agent Bates catch Christopher.<\/p>\n
Brandon took the kids home to fix things. He gave up the company\u2019s documents and the ledger he found in his office to the FBI\u2019s fraud division when they arrived with a warrant, knowing he wouldn\u2019t have a penny by the end of the inquiry. Yet he\u2019d be free.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, will we leave our home after Mommy expired?\u201d He was asked by Kelly.<\/p>\n
Brandon kneeled and hugged his kids.<\/p>\n
Listen, three, we\u2019ll be OK. Want to know why?<\/p>\n
Kelly, Derrick, and Sam, his middle child, nodded enthusiastically.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause our most valuable asset is in my arms. If we stick together, we\u2019ll always be rich in love, the most important thing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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