Dad of 4 Living in Tent Gives Last $2 to Stranger at Gas Station, Wakes up Owning a Big Company — Story of the Day

A homeless and impoverished Brandon gives his last two dollars to an elderly man in need at a gas station shop and wakes up owning a large company the next day. Brandon believes this marks the beginning of a new life for his family.

Brandon held his paper cup filled with coins as he moved towards the gas station. He was near a shelf when a loud voice drew his attention. He noticed a line of frustrated shoppers behind an elderly man who was having trouble hearing.

"I'm sorry, what did you say about the water being funny?" the old man asked the cashier.

"Money!" she replied tiredly. "I told you, you don't have enough, sir!"

"Yes, it was a sunny day!" the man responded with a scowl.

He saw a younger man behind him grabbing his shoulder and shouting into his ear.

"You need more cash! For the water!" he yelled.

Brandon observed everything. He almost stepped forward but decided against it to avoid upsetting the line. Meanwhile, the elderly man explained he didn't have enough cash and asked if he could buy a smaller bottle since he needed medicine.

"If you can't pay, you have to leave!" the cashier shouted.

"Should I go?" The man grinned and started to turn away, but she snatched the water bottle from his hand. "Get out, old man!" she snapped. "You're causing trouble!"

The old man asked to take his pills, but his pleas were ignored.

Brandon had enough. He moved to the cashier and offered to pay for the man.

"Have some kindness, woman," he said, placing his cup of coins on the counter. She looked at him with disdain as she counted the money.

"That will cover it," she said, taking all of his coins, including his last two dollars. "Step aside now. You're holding up the line."

Brandon left his can of beans on the counter and handed the water to the old man.

"Here, sir. I got you water," he said slowly and clearly, making sure the man could read his lips if needed. The man thanked him. They exited together, and Brandon headed to his tent on the dirt patch beside the station, but the man stopped him.

"Wait!"

Brandon turned back.

The older man asked, "Why did you help me when you clearly needed the money?"

Brandon responded, "If there's one thing I’ve learned from being homeless, sir, it's that the world works best when people are kind to each other."

"But what will my kids eat? You left the beans on the counter."

"We have the last of yesterday's bread," Brandon said. "We'll manage."

The man walked away with a frown. Brandon saw him get into a shiny SUV and wondered why someone like him couldn't buy a bottle of water.

The next morning, while Brandon was sharing cold fries with his children, a silver car pulled up near his tent. A man in a fancy suit approached.

"Morning, sir. Mr. Grives wanted me to give this to you," he said, holding out an envelope.

Brandon wiped his hands and took it. Inside was a letter.

"Dear sir, Yesterday, you showed you are a good person when you spent your last dollars on me. Your kindness has inspired me to repay you with my business. My life is ending soon. I don’t want my son to inherit my company because he is selfish. I would feel better if you took over instead. Just make sure my son is cared for and can live comfortably."

Brandon looked up, surprised. "Is this a joke?" he asked.

The man handed him some papers and a pen. "Mr. Grives was serious. Once you sign, it’s official."

"But I just met him yesterday. And now he’s dead and leaving me everything?" Brandon asked, reading the papers.

"I understand, but these documents are prepared by top lawyers. All you need is to fill in your name, and they’ll finish it."

Brandon saw this as his chance to provide for his children, so he signed. The man then took him and his kids to a large house.

As they arrived, Brandon looked up at the huge mansion.

He barely believed what he saw. But as he opened the double doors, something seemed wrong. The house was filthy — a table was knocked over, and a closet was fallen.

Brandon dumped the luggage and ran after the car, telling the driver to call emergency services. Hours later, he was standing among destroyed furniture, talking to police.

"We checked the entire house, and there’s no sign of forced entry," said the officer. "It looks like someone who knew the code accessed the house."

"So, someone just walked in?" Brandon asked.

"Change the locks, sir," the officer advised.

Later, the house’s security footage suggested the elderly man’s son might be involved.

The next day, Mr. Grives’s secretary arrived early. She took Brandon shopping and helped him get cleaned up. Then, she took him to the company. Inside the office once used by Mr. Grives, he was about to look through the files when suddenly the door burst open.

“You must be Brandon!” a man in a dark suit said. “I’m Christopher, a former business associate of Mr. Grives. I’m here to help you avoid trouble.”

Brandon was puzzled. Christopher explained he managed sales for one of Mr. Grives’s “special” businesses. Brandon quickly guessed it was illegal. He refused to continue it, but Christopher didn’t listen.

“Listen, idiot! Grives owed me two million dollars for handling his illegal activities. Now you’re responsible for it,” he snarled. “Pay up, or I’ll call the police. And since you’re now the owner of the company, you’ll be liable for damages. Expect my money by Saturday.”

Brandon protested, “This is extortion! You’re serious?”

Christopher showed a gun, saying, “If you cross me, Brandon, I’ll make you disappear.”

Brandon hesitated but decided to meet his demands. He started looking for signs of the illegal side of the business.

Later that evening, after examining files, Brandon was convinced Christopher was lying. Then he found a locked filing cabinet in a corner of the room. He used the keys he’d found earlier to open it.

Inside, he saw an old ledger with writing in shorthand. Brandon realized Christopher wasn’t bluffing. He then found a photo among some bottles of whiskey — a picture of Mr. Grives with a younger man who looked very similar. It was Christopher, Mr. Grives’s son.

Things clicked into place for Brandon. He couldn’t believe a kind man like Mr. Grives was involved in illegal dealings. Most likely, Christopher was blackmailing him with his shady activities.

Fortunate, but a terrible twist — everything was happening too quickly. Brandon was experienced enough to handle chaos.

That Saturday, Brandon met Christopher in a parking lot. He made a counteroffer.

“I want to honor your dad’s last wish,” Brandon said. “I’ll give you 49 percent of the company, and I keep 51 percent. That way, you can live well. And I’ll manage the company as your father wanted.”

But Christopher refused. “I deserve it all! Come back when you’re smarter,” he sneered and walked away.

Brandon returned to the office, planning to pay Christopher the two million dollars and move on. But the company’s funds were tied up in assets and expenses. He couldn’t access the money.

He went home feeling defeated. But another problem awaited him. As he entered his house, he found his children’s nanny tied up and gagged.

“He took the kids,” she cried. “He said this is your wake-up call.” Brandon understood who “he” was.

Brandon called Christopher and agreed to give him the company, begging him not to hurt the children. They arranged to meet at noon. He also contacted police. Within half an hour, he was with an FBI agent.

“Follow my instructions, and your kids will be safe,” said Agent Bates.

Later that day, Christopher was relaxing by a hotel pool. He had locked Brandon’s children in a closet and paid off the hotel staff. Someone knocked — it was the manager.

“You have a package,” the manager said, holding an envelope.

Christopher opened it and grinned. Inside was a signed document. He immediately signed the papers, claiming the company was his. Then he released Brandon’s children. “Watch out, kids,” he said, dismissively.

Suddenly, Christopher sensed movement behind him. He heard the click of a gun safety being flicked off.

“FBI! Hands in the air! You’re under arrest,” an agent announced.

Brandon held his children outside. Thanks to a tracker hidden in the documents, police caught Christopher.

Brandon took his kids back home, determined to do what’s right. When police showed up with a warrant, he handed over evidence. The investigation would likely leave him with nothing, but at least he’d be free.

“Daddy, will we lose our home now that Mommy died?” Kelly asked.

Brandon knelt and hugged his children.

“No, we’ll be okay,” he said. “Want to know why?”

The kids looked at him carefully and nodded.

“Because the most important thing we have is here, in my arms. As long as we’re together, we’re rich in love.”