But.. Mike did force his nephew to break off his relationship with Mary in order to protect her. He forced the breakup because he was having flashbacks of his first wife Apollonia and wanted to spare her the same fate.

It may have been unwise, but I don't see any malice in putting Mary in charge of a charitable foundation and wanting his children to inherit his legitimate estate. Kind of normal for a parent. Mike probably imagined that once he became fully legitimate, his family would be safe.