"What?" Kristina exploded, "Please tell me that's a misunderstanding, Michael. You didn't actually have Kellie arrested!"
"I didn't have her arrested," Michael said, "though she probably should have been. She was brought in for questioning instead,"
"Michael," Kristina said, "You can't mean that."
"She intentionally delayed my coffee shipments," Michael said, "And now Valentin has shut down that whole venture, not to mention taken away my authority over that division."
"There was a mix up with the shipments when I took over the company," Kellie said, "It happens, Michael, get over it. Obviously, Valentin didn't like you using ELQ resources to compete with Dad. You certainly didn't have a shred of proof to get the cops involved."
"What is wrong with you, Michael?" Kristina interrtupted, "I know you're angry at Dad, but competing against him in the coffee business. Having our sister sent to prison? Are you even thinking at all?"
"I know you want to defend Dad and Kellie," Michael said, "But they're involved in illegal things. Things that people have gotten hurt and killed. Look at Charles."
"Michael, get out of my house now," Kellie growled, standing up and handing Kelsey off to Kristina.
"Look, I know you're not happy with how I handled Sonny," Michael said, "But you have to see that chipping away at Sonny's business..."
"Only helped to make my situation worse," Kellie said, dragging Michael to the front door, "Making me more of a target as Dad and Jason's enemies came after me too when they saw how a new competitor contributed to making the Corinthos Organization weaker."
"If the organization was gone, you'd be safer, why can't you see that," Michael said.
"The organization wouldn't be gone," Kellie said, as they arrived at the front door. "It would just end up taken over by the other associates, enemies that would likely kill us to ensure there'd be no retaliation. Did you consider that by going against Sonny yourself like that, you might have made yourself a target eventually if got the impression they were angling for the business."
"Everything I did was legal," Michael said.
"Keep telling yourself that," Kellie said, "Maybe one day you'll believe it. Bribing elected officials to have charges brought against Nina."
"It was a campaign donation," Michael said.
"With strings attached," Kellie said, "And one that if an election commission were to look into, would find highly questionable."
"How do you think your foundation stakeholders would feel if you they find out you're joining the five families," Michael said.
"The foundation will be fine," Kellie said, "As Kristina and I were just discussing before you rudely interrupted, I haven't been actively involved with the foundation other a few minor things here and there. You forget, Michael, I understand all too well the costs of the choices of I have made, the costs and the sacrifices Dad's business have made necessary. It may be not be fair. It's definitely not always as black and white as you make it to be."
"But it's okay for you to go up against Dad and be angry at him," Michael said, "But not me."
"You have every right to be angry at Sonny," Kellie replied, "I'd never dispute that. What I take issue with is you throwing your entitled weight around and interfering in things you know nothing about. All because you're having a temper tantrum over Dad choosing Nina over your mom."
"And you voting Dad out of of the five families isn't a temper tantrum?" Michael yelled, "How is your anger at Dad any different than mine?"
"She's always angry at Dad for one thing or another," Kristina interrupted, having left Kelsey with Francis elsewhere in the house instead of following Kellie and Michael initially, "Or least more often than not they're always arguing about something. But you don't see her constantly going after Dad or the business just because they're on the outs."
"So you're on her side?" Michael responded, "You were on the island when Cyrus attacked with her. I don't see how you can be okay with that when you could have been killed. Or are you just that callous both of you? Kellie, do you even care that Charles is dead, that Monica lost out on a second marriage, a second chance at happiness, because of Dad, because of you."
Kellie started to lunge at Michael, but was stopped by Kristina, stepping between them.
"He's not worth it," Kristina said, "You can't trust he wouldn't have you brought in on assault charges. Not that I blame you."
Kellie took a couple of deep breathe, then moved to open the front door.
"Are you going to leave on your own?" Kellie asked, "Or do I have to physically throw you out?"
"If you're going to be that way," Michael said, "I'll leave on my own."
"Until you can apologize," Kellie said, "The guards will not let you back on the property after this. You can see Jason anywhere but here or my studio."
Michael nodded and walked out. Before Kellie could shut the door behind him, Kristina slipped out.
"I'll be back inside in a moment," Kristina said to Kellie and the shut the door so she could speak to Michael alone.
"That was low, Michael," Kristina said.
"You can't tell me I didn't say anything that wasn't true," Michael said.
"Michael, you're unbelievable," Kristina said, "Seriously, way to kick our sister when she's down. We both know she blames herself when she shouldn't on top of grieving the loss of someone that's been more of a father figure to her than anyone. Are you really that heartless?"
"Kristina, I'm not going to sit by and defend Dad's business, his choices," Michael said, "Or Kellie's."
"Do you forget that Kellie made the decision's she did because Dad was slipping when his bipolar was undiagnosed. He and Jason were on the outs," Kristina said, "Kellie was the only one who from I understand could get her hands on the business out from under Alcazar's brother at the time."
"No one forced Kellie to take over the business," Michael said.
"No, they didn't," Kristina said, "But up until recently she has tried to really hard to stay out of it."
"She's certainly good at it," Michael said, "Holding up shipments like Dad would do."
"Like you haven't thrown your weight around like Dad does," Kristina said, "To get what you want."
"That's different," Michael protested.
"Can you honestly tell me you haven't engaged in anything that might make law enforcement take a closer look if they knew what was really going on," Kristina replied.
"It's all legal, even if it is grey," Michael said.
"That kind of sounds like how Kellie would put it," Kristina said, "However, she unlike you owns up to it. Now I don't know why I'm still arguing with you. Shoo…before Kellie has her brute guards force you off the property."
"So much for family loyalty," Michael under his breath as he left.
"I heard that," Kristina yelled before heading back in the house.
Perks Coffee Warehouse
"Did you have any luck convincing Kellie back off and turn down the offer to join the five families?" Sonny asked when Jason walked in.
"No," Jason said, "I wouldn't expect her to unless we do what the families asked and come up with a game plan."
"Who do they think they are telling me how to run my business?" Sonny yelled.
"I think it's preferable to them deciding you're a liability," Jason said, "and taking over the territory."
"Damn Zacharra angling for a war the moment he gets out of prison," Sonny said, "I bet he planned this all along. And Kellie, I can't believe she orchestrated his release."
"She hasn't openly admitted she did," Jason said, "I know she hasn't outright denied it either. Whether she did or not, it's what we should have done. Whatever Kellie has done has given us an opportunity."
"Kellie had no business interfering," Sonny said, "And she certainly shouldn't be heading up her own family."
"I agree, Sonny," Jason said, "We need to make it, so she doesn't feel that's necessary at all."
"All she has to do is back off and let us handle it," Sonny said, "The way we have been."
"What we've been doing isn't enough Sonny," Jason said, "If it was, you'd still be head of the families. I don't think you're getting the situation…."
"So you think you know how to run the business better than me?" Sonny interrupted.
"No, that's not what I'm trying to say," Jason said.
"This obviously isn't your wheelhouse, Jason," Sonny said, "Never has been. Your judgment is obviously clouded when it comes to Kellie being your wife. It's understandable. Right now, we're going to hold tight as we have been."
"Sonny, that's not," Jason started to say.
"The discussion's over, Jason," Sonny said, "Are you on board with me or not?"
"Sure," Jason said.
"You don't sound sure," Sonny said.
"Yes, I'm on board," Jason said more firmly.
"Good," Sonny said, "That's all I need for now. I'll be in touch if I need something."
Jason nodded and left.
Back in his car, Jason called Max.
"Any chance the Boss saw reason?" Max answered.
"No, he's digging in," Jason said, "I need you and Trent to do what we discussed last night."
"You're sure?" Max asked, "You don't want to try talking to Sonny again, give him a little more time?"
"If I thought it would help, I would," Jason said, "But I can't keep making excuses for Sonny. Not when I continue putting Kellie at risk of taking over for us or of accepting the offer to join the families on her own. I can't keep risking the kids getting caught in the crossfire."
"We're on it, Boss," Max said, "Let us know when you want to move to the next phase or figure out a big move."