The icy wind whipped through the streets as Richard pulled his ragged coat tighter around him. The cold bit at his skin, but that wasn’t the worst of it. What truly hurt was the disappointment he carried in his heart.
For the past month, he had traveled from one branch of his company to another—his company—searching for something more valuable than profit. He was searching for people who still lived by the values he had built his empire on: respect, kindness, and integrity.
But everywhere he went, he was met with cold stares, rude words, and rejection. To the employees, he was just another homeless man. None of them knew that beneath the worn clothes and messy hair, he was Richard—the founder and owner of the company.
This office was his last stop. If there was no kindness here, then perhaps his life’s work had been for nothing.
And it wasn’t just any branch—it was managed by Tom, a man Richard had once taken under his wing back in his university days. Richard had mentored Tom, taught him the ins and outs of business, and trusted he would carry those lessons forward. Now Richard was about to discover whether his efforts had been wasted.
As he neared the entrance, Richard thought back to earlier times. Whenever he visited a branch in the past, it was a grand event. Staff would line up to greet him with bright smiles, glasses of champagne in hand. They had tried so hard to impress the wealthy owner.
But now? Now he was just “Richie,” a homeless man looking for a corner of warmth.
He was so lost in thought that he didn’t see a man coming toward him until they collided. The man recoiled with disgust.
“Watch where you’re going, you bum!” the man snapped, glaring at him before storming into the building.
Richard didn’t reply. He had grown used to such insults. Every door he had knocked on lately had given him the same result—mockery, rejection, indifference.
But he wasn’t ready to give up just yet.
Steeling himself, he walked inside and approached the security guard.
The guard’s eyes narrowed instantly, scanning him from head to toe. “What do you want, bum?” he sneered.
Richard kept his voice steady. “I just need to warm up a little… maybe get something to eat.”
“This isn’t a homeless shelter,” the guard snapped. “You need to get out. Now.”
Richard tried again, gentler this time. “I’m only asking for some food. Could you call Tom? I think he would help me.”
The guard let out a bitter laugh. “Tom? He’ll throw you out faster than I could. Don’t waste my time.”
“Please,” Richard said softly, his words carrying a weight of hope.
The guard rolled his eyes in irritation but finally picked up the phone. As they waited, Richard glanced longingly at a nearby couch. He took a small step toward it.
“Don’t even think about it,” the guard barked. “Stay where you are.”
Richard quickly stepped back.
Just then, the doors opened and a young woman entered. She smiled warmly at the guard as she walked past, but then her eyes fell on Richard. Her smile faded into concern.
“Sir, are you alright?” she asked gently. “Do you need help?”
Richard hesitated. “I just need to warm up, maybe get something to eat, and some water if possible.”
Without hesitation, she pulled a bottle of water from her bag and handed it to him. “Here, take this. Please, come with me to the office. We have food there.”
Richard looked at the bottle, surprised. “But… it’s your water.”
She smiled kindly. “It’s no problem. Come on.”
But before they could move, the guard stepped forward. “Tom said not to let anyone in without his permission.”
The woman frowned. “But this man just wants to eat. What’s your name, sir?”
“Richie,” Richard replied quietly.
“Richie just wants to eat,” she repeated firmly.
The guard crossed his arms. “Tom’s coming down. Until then, this bum isn’t going anywhere.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “What disrespect! He’s a person, just like you and me. Why should he be treated any differently?”
Before the argument could continue, the elevator doors opened with a ding. Out stepped Tom. His expression was already irritated.
“What’s going on here?” he demanded.
Richard spoke calmly. “Good afternoon, sir. I just wanted to warm up and have something to eat.”
Tom’s face twisted with contempt. “Do I look like a volunteer? Get out! You’re ruining the company’s reputation. What if a client sees a bum in here?”
The woman tried to reason. “But Tom, he just wants food.”
Tom turned on her sharply. “And what’s it to you, Lindsay? You’re just an assistant! Go back to work!”
Then he barked at the guard, “Throw him out. And you—” he pointed at her—“follow me.”
As she passed Richard, she whispered quickly, “Go to the back entrance. I’ll take you to lunch.”
Moments later, Richard found himself shoved back into the freezing street.
But true to her word, the woman—her name, he later learned, was Nancy—met him at the back door. She gave him a warm smile.
“Let’s go. There’s a little restaurant nearby. It’s nothing fancy, but the food is really good.”
Richard followed her gratefully. “I don’t even know how to thank you. Lindsay, right?” he asked.
She laughed softly. “My name’s actually Nancy. Tom never gets it right. He gives me a new name every day—it’s easier for him, I guess. But there’s no need to thank me. My grandmother always said kindness is its own reward.”
At the restaurant, Nancy urged him to order whatever he liked. When Richard asked if she could afford it, she admitted with a sigh, “Not really. Tom promised me a higher salary when I got the job, but then he said it was too much for a girl straight out of university.”
Richard clenched his fists under the table. Tom had become someone unrecognizable.
Still, Nancy smiled through it. “It’s no big deal. I like helping people.”
Her kindness warmed him far more than the food. For the first time in weeks, Richard felt hope.
But when Nancy returned to the office, she walked into chaos. Whispering employees. Nervous faces.
“What’s going on?” she asked a colleague.
The woman looked pale. “The owner of the company has died. He had no children. Nobody knows who will inherit.”
Before Nancy could process the words, the lawyer arrived. Tom rushed over, all but bowing before him.
But the lawyer brushed him off coldly. “I’m not here for small talk. I need to see Nancy.”
The office went silent. Nancy blinked. “M-me?”
“Yes. Are you Nancy?”
“Yes…” she stammered.
“Then you’re the one I need. Let’s talk privately.”
Inside the conference room, Nancy’s heart raced. “I don’t understand.”
The lawyer placed a folder on the table. “You’re the new owner of the company. Congratulations.”
Nancy’s jaw dropped. “WHAT?!”
He slid the papers toward her. “These are signed by Richard. All that’s left is for you to sign.”
“Richard? But why me?” she whispered, overwhelmed.
The lawyer handed her a letter. “He left this for you.”
With trembling hands, Nancy opened it and began to read.
Dear Nancy,
Six months ago, I learned I was dying. With no wife or children, I had no one to leave my company to. I decided to disguise myself as a homeless man and visit each branch, to see the true character of those working for me.
I was disappointed again and again. No one would let me in, no one showed kindness—until I met you.
Nancy, your compassion restored my faith. Despite your youth, you showed more strength, integrity, and heart than anyone else. That is why I leave the company to you.
Please lead with kindness. Everything else will fall into place.
Yours truly,
Richard
(Or as you knew me—Richie)
P.S. Your first task as the new owner is to fire Tom. And call him Timmy while you do it.
Nancy lowered the letter, her eyes wide with shock. The company, her future, everything—it was all hers now.
And all because, when everyone else turned him away, she had chosen kindness.