Francesca let out a cold laugh. "You really think I'd believe a word you say? Everyone in Jayrodale knows that Mr. Jameson has always been the backbone of the Rhodes family. Mr. Kenny? He's been irrelevant for years."

Michael whistled arrogantly, his grin widening. "Ever heard the saying? Tables turn every. Did you really think my father and I would stay nobodies forever? Fran, if your brains were even half as big as your chest, you'd know better.

"Go ask around—aside from not officially taking the family head title, my father has already stripped Jameson of all his power."

Feeling triumphant, Michael took a long swig of champagne, reveling in his own audacity.

"Oh, and let me really open your eyes. The Wellers' warehouse? Yeah, I torched it. Not just that—I took a few lives while I was at it. But so what? Dad made one call to the Golding family, and they made another straight to the governor's office.

"After that, the governor put pressure on Mr. Thatcher, and Mr. Thatcher