Intrigue Quote by Barbara Taylor Bradford
““Mary never made it to the board meeting. Cunning Elizabeth simply arranged for her cousin's tennis instructor to "delay" her for an hour or two. The man was evidently a superb athlete, though it was entirely Mary's fault that she fell asleep afterwards. Elizabeth took control of the company that very afternoon, by a vote of six to one, while a sated Mary slept. And the silly girl never knew what hit her.””
About This Quote
A scheming rival manipulates circumstances to sideline a competitor, seizing power while the opponent is incapacitated.
In simple terms: Manipulation and opportunism
Key Takeaway
Power can be seized through deceit
Themes
power dynamics
betrayal
strategic deception
workplace politics
gender rivalry
Mood
cunning
sly
dramatic
Type
narrative
anecdotal
cautionary
When to use this quote
- corporate boardroom battles
- family business succession
- political coups
- sports-related distractions
Key Concepts
manipulation
timing
authority
competition
Practical Applications
- strategic planning
- risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How might transparency prevent such manipulation?
- What safeguards can protect against covert power grabs?
A Different Perspective
Such tactics may backfire if the victim regains agency or allies intervene.
