Episode 96 – The Trojan Horse Tactic…

The Trojan Horse Tactic: When Family Becomes a Weapon...

So, I’m sitting here with my cup of tea, minding my own business, when I stumble across a newspaper article that nearly knocks me off my chair. There it is in black and white: Bully Junior asked the judge for permission to relocate… to my county.

And how do I find out? From Bully? From the family? Oh no, nothing as civilized as that. Nope, through the local news like everyone else. Surprise!

Now, let’s get a few things straight: Bully Junior isn’t in jail for masterminding a heist or some grand scheme. No, he’s locked up because he was being a complete idiot. Add a hefty substance abuse issue into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for chaos. This isn’t a man in control, this is someone grasping for belonging, for guidance, for a hand to hold… and who does he find?

Bully.
Five years ago, when I didn’t have two cents to rub together, Junior started looking for someone to lean on, and Bully swooped in like the knight in shining armor he never was. Mentor, advisor, savior… call it what you will. And of course, did I know about any of this? Not a chance. In this family, everything is super-secret, like the bloody CIA. You’d think we were smuggling nuclear codes, not arguing over land.

So now we’ve got Junior, desperate to belong, clinging to Bully like a lifeline. And Bully? He’s lapping it up. Because why not? It feeds his ego, gives him another pawn in the game. And now that pawn might be moving into my house.

Here’s the masterstroke: Bully doesn’t need to push me out directly. Nope. He’ll just install Junior, sit back, and let the chaos do the dirty work. Junior causes drama? I look like the bad guy for complaining. I finally pack my bags? Bully wins without breaking a sweat.

And that’s what makes me sick. This isn’t family loyalty. This is power dressed up as compassion. It’s control disguised as care. And it’s the ugliest part of inheritance wars: people will use anyone, even their own, to secure the crown jewels and status, and a good dose of “I win.”

So, if you’re out there dealing with your own Trojan Horse situation, here’s my advice:

✔ Lock down your rights. That right of residency? Get it in writing. Make it legal. Make it ironclad.
✔ Document everything. Emails, articles, whispers, keep receipts.
✔ Expect tricks. If there’s a loophole, a Bully will sniff it out like a truffle pig.
✔ Trust your gut. If something smells like a setup, it probably is.

Because these battles aren’t fought with swords. They’re fought with silence, pawns, and Trojan Horses. And when the horse rolls in, you’d better have your gates bolted.