An unusual letter provides the catalyst for one woman to uncover a secret kept from her for years, and receive unexpected wealth.
Gregory locked the door to the small corner shop where he’d worked as a cashier for the last twenty years. His coat was too old and thin to keep the chill from his bones as he walked home, but he smiled nonetheless. It had been another great day at work.
Gregory’s wife had never understood how he found satisfaction in what she called a low-level job. She’d left him because she felt he lacked ambition, but he still had his daughter.
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Linda was standing in the foyer of the apartment block where she and Gregory lived when he entered the building. She had also recently started working as a cashier and still wore her uniform. In one hand, she held a letter.
“What have you got there, Linda?” Gregory asked as he approached her.
Linda looked up, startled. “You tell me, Dad. I’m too scared to open it.”
Gregory frowned and took the letter from his daughter. The name of a legal practice was printed on the envelope.
“Why would a lawyer be contacting me?”
Gregory shrugged. He tore the envelope open and studied the papers inside. His jaw dropped, and his fingers began shaking as he read.
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“It’s bad, isn’t it?”
“It’s… strange. According to this letter, somebody has left you a business comprising three restaurants, and it’s worth nearly four million dollars.”
“What!” Linda snatched the letter from Gregory’s hands. “It’s got to be a scam.”
“I did this to find out whether you’re a good person.”
“There’s an easy way to find out.” Gregory leaned over to indicate the lawyer’s phone number on the letterhead.
Linda called the lawyer and arranged a meeting for the next day. Gregory accompanied her.
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“This has got to be a mistake,” Linda told the lawyer when they entered his office.
“I don’t know anyone who would leave me a business.”
The lawyer shook his head. “There’s no mistake, Miss. My client, Matthew Markham, was very particular in his instructions.”
Gregory felt as though he’d been electrocuted. “Please, say that name again.”
“Matthew Markham.”
Gregory understood everything then. He hung his head and burst into tears.
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A few months earlier…
Matthew shivered with anxiety as he approached the cashier. He set down the packet of gum and stared at the man who rang it up. The nametag on his chest said ‘Gregory.’ He was the right man.
“Sir? Are you okay?”
“Fine.” Matthew realized he’d zoned out and handed the cashier a five-dollar bill. “But I do need to talk to you. It’s about Linda.”
The man looked up sharply at the customer who had just uttered his little daughter’s name. “Is she in some kind of trouble?”
Matthew shook his head. “Do you have a few minutes, please?”
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Matthew and Gregory arranged to meet at a diner nearby during Gregory’s lunch break. While Matthew waited, he thought over the revelations that had brought him to this point.
A few days earlier, he’d been discussing his terminal illness with a close friend, Jeremy, and lamenting that he had no heirs to whom he could leave his restaurant business.
Then Jeremy dropped a bombshell on him: Matthew had a daughter he didn’t know about. His ex-girlfriend had died in childbirth, and the baby was placed up for adoption.
Matthew immediately hired a detective to track her down. Days later, he was finally sitting down with Gregory, the man who’d adopted his daughter.
Matthew explained to Gregory that he was Linda’s biological father and then asked the question that was foremost in his mind:
“Does Linda know she was adopted?”
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“No, and you can’t tell her, sir.” Gregory looked at him pleadingly. “My wife left me a couple of months back, and I can’t lose Linda too. Please, don’t take her from me.”
Matthew was torn. He wanted to know his daughter but didn’t want to cause problems for the man who’d raised her. He also didn’t want to upset his daughter’s life by introducing himself when he only had a few months more to live.
“What is she like?” Matthew asked. “Is she a good person?”
Gregory smiled. “She’s an amazing person. She’s kind and treats everyone equally.”
Matthew nodded. He was starting to get an idea.
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The next day, Matthew disguised himself as a poor man and went to the store where Linda worked as a cashier. He took a few essential food items to her checkout and waited while she rang them up.
“I’m sorry, Miss,” he said once she told him the cost.
“I can’t afford all of that. I’ve only got ten dollars.”
“Don’t worry about it, sir.” Linda smiled at him. “I’ll cover the rest.”
Matthew left the store and returned a week later. This time, he wore his finest suit. He chose several of the most expensive items in the store and again went to Linda’s checkout.
“Get out of the way,” Matthew shouted as he pushed his way to the front of the queue. “I’m in a hurry and need to be served fast.”
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He set his purchases down in front of Linda and waved his hands at her. “Hurry up, girl, I’ve got an important meeting to attend.”
“Then you’ll have to tell them you’re going to be delayed.” Linda pushed his purchases aside and gestured to the woman behind him. “You’re next, ma’am.”
“I need to be served first!” Matthew exclaimed.
“That’s too bad, sir. I don’t allow anyone to push to the front of the queue, no matter how important you think you are.”
Matthew grinned from ear to ear. “I’m glad you said that.”
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He reached for a bouquet of yellow lilies and placed the cash to pay for them on the counter. “These are for you, Linda. My name is Matthew, and I did this to find out whether you’re a good person.”
“Do me one favor, please, and remember my name when you see these lilies.”
Present day…
“Matthew is the name of your biological father, Linda,” Gregory said. “You’re adopted.”
“Why did you never tell me?”
“I’m so sorry. I never wanted you to feel bad about it. Then your mother left, and I was afraid you’d leave me too if you knew I wasn’t your real father.”
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Linda hugged him. “I’d never do that, dad.”
The lawyer cleared his throat. “As I was saying, my client bequeathed his three restaurants to you, his sole heir, when he passed away a month ago. These restaurants are each worth over a million dollars.”
“Mr. Markham also had a special request. He wanted me to give you something.”
The lawyer left the room and soon returned with a bouquet of yellow lilies, which he presented to Linda.
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Linda cradled the flowers in her arms. “I understand now.” She turned to Gregory. “He came into my shop once and asked that I remember his name when I see yellow lilies.”
Gregory placed a hand on Linda’s shoulder. “I’m sure he was very proud of you, Linda, and will continue to be proud of you from heaven.”
What can we learn from this story?
Treat people equally, and you will be rewarded. Matthew was encouraged to leave his business to Linda when he saw that she was a good person.
One can find happiness in a simple life. Gregory and Linda were both happy to work as cashiers and earn an honest living.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who discovers the house she’s been cleaning for the past ten years belongs to her.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
World’s Richest Actor Worth $3 billion is Unknown to Most People
When the subject of the wealthiest actors is up, Dwayne Johnson and Tom Cruise are usually brought up first. The richest of them all, Jami Gertz, is among these well-known names, albeit his name may not be as well-known.1. Despite her extreme wealth, many people are still in the dark about her and want to know, “Who exactly is she?”
In the 1980s, movies like “The Lost Boys” and “Sixteen Candles” contributed to Gertz’s rise to fame. After that, she transitioned to television with ease, showcasing her abilities in shows like “This is Us,” “Seinfeld,” “Modern Family,” and “Still Standing.” Her four-decade career has solidified her place in the profession. But her extraordinary tale of achievement goes far beyond Hollywood glitz.
Beyond Stardom: Jami Gertz’s Incredible Wealth
Gertz is genuinely wealthy; her estimated net worth of $3 billion is not simply a Hollywood fabrication.2. In addition to her acting career, her marriage to millionaire husband Antony Ressler has allowed her to become extremely wealthy. The Atlanta Hawks of the NBA and the Milwaukee Brewers, of which they possess a minority stake, demonstrate the variety of their investment holdings. But their influence extends beyond sports.
Their altruistic endeavors have a noteworthy influence. Beyond financial advantage, their $10 million donation to the Ressler-Gertz Foundation demonstrates their devotion to the arts, education, health, and Jewish organizations. Gertz’s crucial role as a board member of the Melanoma Research Alliance emphasizes her dedication to philanthropic endeavors even more.
In addition to well-known singles from the 1980s like “Quicksilver” and “Less Than Zero,” Gertz’s career also included a period during which he studied fragrance development for Lanvin. Despite the unfavorable reviews she first received, her breakthrough single, “Twister,” propelled her to unprecedented heights. In the 2000s, she embraced television, receiving recognition and an Emmy nomination for her role in “Ally McBeal.”
A Gift Taken From the Platform
However, her immense wealth is not only a result of her acting prowess. Gertz’s and her husband’s financial circumstances changed as a result of their diversification into numerous business ventures. Ressler’s net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $7.1 billion. This broadens Gertz’s range of business endeavors, which already include ownership of lifestyle and consulting firms such as JG&A, LLC and Henry Rose. This varied approach demonstrates Gertz’s flair for business outside of the entertainment sector.
Gertz’s story challenges the typical Hollywood cliche. Her career progression from the dazzling films of the 1980s to her diverse business pursuits is a testament to her resilience, flexibility, and inventive spirit. Ressler praised Gertz’s noteworthy contributions and underlined how important a part she played in building their formidable business empire. Her tale is not just one of riches and achievement, but one of overcoming hardship, astute business sense, and unwavering commitment to leaving a lasting legacy.
Jami Gertz’s Philanthropic Vanguard
Gertz’s impressive $3 billion net wealth is just one measure of her success. Her union with wealthy husband Antony Ressler has made her incredibly wealthy. Their financial holdings are diversified in part by their ownership stakes in the NBA franchises Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Hawks. However, their impact extends beyond trade.
Their altruistic efforts are deeply moving. Beyond just cash, their record $10 million donation to the Ressler-Gertz Foundation demonstrates their commitment to the arts, education, health, and Jewish organizations. Gertz’s significant position as a board director for the Melanoma Research Alliance further demonstrates her dedication to charitable causes.
Gertz plays popular songs from the 1980s, including “Less Than Zero” and “Quicksilver.”Despite the initial unfavorable reviews she received, her career reached new heights thanks to her role in the massively popular picture “Twister.” In the 2000s, she transitioned to television after receiving critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for her role in “Ally McBeal.”
However, Gertz’s financial success stems from more than just his acting. Their financial situation worsened when she and Ressler ventured into commercial ventures. Forbes estimates Ressler’s net worth at $7.1 billion. Gertz’s business endeavors complement Ressler’s, which also include lifestyle and consulting firms like Henry Rose and JG&A, LLC. This creative approach demonstrates Gertz’s acumen in business outside of the
The Durability of the Impact
Gertz’s story is not your average Hollywood fodder. Her journey from the great 1980s movie to her many business ventures is an inspiration to perseverance, flexibility, and a forward-thinking mindset. Ressler praised Gertz’s noteworthy accomplishments and emphasized the crucial part she played in creating their vastly influential business empire. Hers is a tale of achievement, astute business acumen, and unwavering commitment to leaving a significant legacy.
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