A Delusional Woman: Delusions of Grandeur

Before a million dollar inheritance was given to Bertha, a retiring city planner, Dawson, the elderly gentleman who had chosen her to receive it, hired a private investigator to carry out an investigation for her protection.

"There are too many people inquiring into Bertha's inheritance to suggest it is not for real," Brad, a private investigator said to Bart, his senior partner. "They are perched like vultures sitting on a fence, just waiting to walk off with her money."

"That may well be, so for now let's just call her alleged inheritance a delusion of grandeur," replied Bart. "At least, until we get evidence to the contrary."

"Calling her a delusional woman might get some of these folks to ease up on her."

"Right, so let's try it, because some of them, especially her family, are hounding her to death."

Both realized that it might also rile up others.

The intentional planting of rumors was a ploy that these partners had used before.

It worked and interestingly, the abusive, money-hungry family members and several others backed right off, as no one really wanted to be known as being associated with a delusional woman.

Meanwhile, Bertha simply continued to live the same kind of life that she always had lived. She was well known for her personal and business integrity, as well as for her random acts of kindness towards others. 

Her true friends did not buy into the supposed delusions of grandeur theory. They knew the truth about her inheritance would be revealed in time. If Bertha confirmed that this was happening, it was. She always spoke the truth. 

When the private investigators were satisfied that the riffraff had finally been weeded out, which took a while, Dawson acted through his attorney and Bertha received her inheritance.

"Wow, this is the best delusion of grandeur I have ever had," said Bertha, with a smile, when she was handed her inheritance check.