Over the years, Michael had pulled plenty of strings behind the scenes to trip Dn up, but he was never the guy leading the charge. Honestly, everyone in the city wanted Dn gone. He was just too powerful-hogging most of the pie for himself and expanding Ferguson Corporation across borders, making it bigger than anyone had dreamed. Of course people hated him for it.


    Still, Michael couldn''t deny that ever since Dn took over as heir, the Ferguson family''s reputation had skyrocketed. They were untouchable now, sitting at the top of the social food chain.


    Dn always seemed to do whatever Walter asked, but Michael couldn''t help but think his brother had rebellion written into his bones.


    "Dn, you don''t have to get involved with Simon," Michael said, forcing his voice steady. "I''ll talk to Dad and get Simon transferred to a branch office. He won''t be back for a year, maybe longer."


    Ferguson Corporation had offices everywhere-in every major city, even abroad. As long as Simon was out of town, he wouldn''t be able to cause any real trouble.


    Dn set his knife down, a slow, amused smile curving his lips. "Big brother, I never said anything else."


    Michael''s scalp prickled with anger, his fists tightening at his sides. He was sure now—Lincoln''s ident had been Dn''s doing. And after watching how neatly Dn cleaned up Eden''s mess, leaving Walter with nothing to pin on him, Michael realized: if Dn wanted to destroy anyone, it would be effortless.


    Don''t mess with Dn.


    He bit his lip so hard it hurt, but even tied up, he kept his mouth shut.


    Dn stepped out, pausing to nce at the moon glowing in the night sky, and let out a quiet sigh.


    As soon as Dn was gone, Michael''s face turned red with frustration. He immediately called for Ada toe untie him.


    Their marriage used to be passable, but ever since Michael had slept with Ada''s older sister, all they did was fight. At this point, they couldn''t even stand to look at each other.


    Ada shot him a cold look, settling on the couch and sipping her water.


    "Michael, you''re pathetic. All you know how to do is sleep around. If it wasn''t for the Ferguson name, do you really think anyone would give you the time of day? What are you even so resentful about? Dn left you in the dust a long time ago. You can''t even protect your own son now. Honestly, I can''t believe I married someone this useless."


    Ada had fought her way up from mistress to wife; Michael had been the best she could get. But after years of watching him chase after one woman after another, even she''d grown a spine. She wasn''t the docile girl she once was.


    And that night, she''d seen Simon kill Sonya with her own eyes. Now, she was terrified her son would turn into a monster too.


    With Sonya-the woman she hated most-finally gone, Ada''s only dream was to divorce Michael and take her son far away from this mess.


    But every time she tried to see Walter, he refused to let her in.


    Michael''s scandals had already blown up once. If she actually divorced him, the whole story would be dragged out again, and the Ferguson family''s name would be in tatters. There was no way they''d allow it.


    Ada knew how the Fergusons worked. With Walter''s door closed to her, she turned all her energy on Michael instead.


    Michael might be weak, but he cared desperately about his pride, especially in front of women.


    Nothing stung more than being mocked by a woman-especially one who''d once loved him enough to die for him. Now, every word out of Ada''s mouth was like a p, and Michael was barely holding it together.


    "Michael, out of everyone in the Ferguson family, you''re the most useless. Do you even know what


    those women you sleep with samet


    about you? If it wasn''t for your money, with those pathetic few minutes in bed, they wouldn''t even bother faking it."