Lesley, George, and Wilson Farrel lost their parents in a car accident when they were still young.
Their grandparents stepped in to raise them—George was eleven, Wilson nine, and Lesley only five at the time.
The grandparents carefully used the parents’ life insurance to ensure the older boys received a good education. However, by the time Lesley was ready for college, her grandmother had fallen seriously ill.
Lesley couldn’t bear to abandon her grandparents during such a difficult time, so she chose to stay close by, enrolling at the local community college and attending classes when she could manage.
Sadly, her grandmother passed away not long after, and neither George nor Wilson attended the funeral. They sent flowers and apologies but made no effort to support the man who had raised them.
Lesley took on the responsibility of caring for her ailing grandfather. Two years later, when she met William and decided to marry him, she moved into a modest home just down the street.
As time passed, her grandfather’s health deteriorated further.
One morning, Lesley went to bring him breakfast and discovered he had peacefully passed away in his sleep. She was heartbroken.
She contacted her brothers and other relatives to arrange the funeral, assuming George and Wilson wouldn’t show up. To her surprise, they did.
That afternoon, Lesley realized why: they were interested in their inheritance. Their grandfather’s lawyer had called them to the old family home for a reading of the will.
George admired the property. “This place could fetch a good price,” he remarked.
However, the lawyer informed them that their grandfather had donated the house and everything in it to the Children’s Association, which would be used as a shelter for at-risk youth.
He continued, saying that their grandfather had left each of them a small keepsake. On the table, he placed a silver pocket watch, a silver chain with an antique cross, and an old, dark green umbrella.
Wilson grabbed the watch eagerly. “This must be from the Civil War era—it could be valuable!”
Lesley picked up the umbrella, caressing the familiar wooden handle.
“This was Grandpa’s favorite,” she said. “He always said it was perfect for rainy days.”
As she opened it, dozens of bills spilled out from the folds. George sneered, “So that was his rainy day fund?”
Lesley picked up one of the bills, astonished. “This is a thousand-dollar bill—I’ve never seen one in real life!”
Wilson stepped forward to grab one, but the lawyer blocked him.
“That umbrella, and whatever’s in it, belongs to your sister,” he said firmly. “You both made your decisions long ago.”
He explained that Lesley’s grandfather and great-grandfather had collected those high-value bills—now rare and out of circulation—for decades. Each bill, in mint condition, was worth between $10,000 and $12,000 as a collector’s item.
Lesley was in shock. Her grandfather had left her an unexpected fortune. With the proceeds from selling the bills, she and William were able to pay off their home, purchase a new car, and even start a savings fund of their own.
Meanwhile, the old family house became a shelter, bringing comfort and joy to many children in need. As for Wilson and George, they were furious, convinced that Lesley had somehow swindled them out of their rightful inheritance.
