Nancy stood in the office, clutching Richard’s letter. Once just an assistant, she was now named head of the company. Doubts filled her—but Richard’s final words echoed in her mind: “Lead the company with kindness and wisdom.” On her first day, she entered the conference room and addressed the staff. Richard, she revealed, had disguised himself as a homeless man to test whether his company still valued decency. What he found—indifference and cruelty—troubled him. But a small act of kindness had given him hope. That act came from Nancy.
She announced sweeping changes: fairer pay, respectful treatment for all staff, kindness-based leadership, and a foundation to support the homeless. Skeptics, including the ousted Tom, doubted her. But Nancy spent time with employees at every level, listening and learning. Her humility began to shift hearts. A memorial event honored Richard’s legacy, unveiling The Richie Fund to help employees in crisis and fund homelessness support. Managers would now volunteer quarterly at shelters to stay grounded.
The company didn’t collapse—it thrived. Morale rose, customers noticed, and skeptics came around. Nancy, who called herself a steward, kept Richard’s letter framed in her office. One winter morning, Nancy saw an employee offering food to a homeless man at the door. She joined them and invited him inside. Kindness, once tested, had become the company’s guiding light.
