Michael and Lauren sit in the restaurant, drinking champagne. Michael says he’s the only one who can stop Cane from attacking everyone and everything in town. He wants to stop talking about this and nibble on Lauren’s ear instead!

Lauren says there won’t be any ear nibbling until he answers her question… How is he going to stop Cane?

Michael says Cane offered him a position as his “fixer.”

Lauren can’t believe it. This keeps getting worse! She remembers that he left her a voicemail saying that he had turned down the job offer… But he chose to lie about it!

Michael sputters and says he was trying to protect her.

Lauren doesn’t believe he would have told her the truth unless she had pressed him.

Michael says he didn’t want her to be legally impacted by his decision.

Lauren knows he’s going to be doing something illegal because of that.

Michael says Cane poses a threat to friends and family, and the only way he can de-escalate the problem is if he’s in deep with him. Cane needs him, and that gives him power.

Lauren thinks Cane is setting him up for the fall when his plan fails. She wants Michael to tell Cane he’s not taking the job.

Michael says she’s not seeing the big picture. Cane is targeting every single company in town, and if he’s on the inside, he’ll be able to figure out Cane’s plans and sabotage them before any harm is done.

Lauren thinks he’s going to put himself in danger if Cane finds out.

Michael says he won’t just sit on the sidelines. Doesn’t he get points for being honest?

Lauren sighs. She appreciates that he finally told her the truth and knows he’s passionate about helping people, but he could get hurt.

Michael promises he won’t get hurt.

Lauren realizes he’s not going to give in. She’s just happy he’s not going back to working for Victor, though Cane seems to be acting like a young Victor Newman!

Michael laughs. Cane could never live up to Victor! He says he won’t be working for Cane; he’ll be working against him!

That doesn’t give Lauren any peace of mind. How deep has he gotten himself? He’s traded one risky job for another!

Michael says she has to trust he can handle this. Genoa City will win because of him! Does he have her support?

Lauren says if he tells her there are no more secrets, she’ll stand down for now.

Michael smiles and kisses her hand.