Valerie Dumont, 87, never expected to bury her only son, Larry. With Larry gone, her only family was her grandson, Steve. Six months after Larry’s death, Steve convinced Valerie to sell her house and move to Memphis to be close to him and his children. Trusting him, Valerie signed over power of attorney.

Steve sold her house, depositing the money into his own account. Instead of taking Valerie to his home, he dropped her off at a retirement home. Stunned and betrayed, Valerie realized she had been duped. She was left miserable and lonely.

Her only solace was Martin, a hairdresser’s apprentice whose grandmother lived in the home. He visited every Saturday, brightening Valerie’s days with his kind words and cheerful disposition.

One day, Steve received a call from a lawyer about a $2 million inheritance Valerie was due from a relative in Germany. Eager to get his hands on the money, Steve visited Valerie, pretending to care.

“Hello, gran! I’ve missed you,” he said.

Valerie, unimpressed, retorted, “You know about the Bavarian mansion, right? You just want the money.”

Steve feigned innocence, but Valerie revealed she’d revoked his power of attorney. “You want the money, you’ll have to wait until I die,” she said firmly.

Years later, at 97, Valerie passed away peacefully. At the reading of her will, the lawyer handed Steve an envelope. Inside was a note: “Dear Steve. You’ll get your share of the inheritance in this envelope.”

A single dollar bill fell out, with a note: “Buy yourself a conscience.”

Valerie had left her fortune to Martin and his family, ensuring her legacy lived on through those who truly cared for her.