On the real reason there is no gratitude.

Michael is, of course, the example of the Pattersonian inability to appreciate what and who they have in their lives that's currently being the most annoying. The blanket refusal the characters have to accept people around them for who they are and be glad of their presence is something that will ruin their lives for quite some time. Even unto the latest days, the Pattersons are never happy with what they've got and who they have to share it with. This, I should think, is because the Pattersons tend towards believing that appreciating what you have right here and right now is for quitters. Since whatever they have right now is obviously far worse than what the people who clearly have to be lording their blessedness over them have, they can't be grateful for the mere pittance a cruel fate allotted to them lest they have to accept the cruel mockery of people who think that they're better than they are. Trying to explain to them that no, no one is trying to enslave them with their family politics or crush them with their star power isn't going to work because the depressive element of their narcissism needs to see cruel enemies that want to kick them and mock them for wanting to be happy because otherwise, they're a bunch of grasping jerks who are consumed with jealousy and besotted by egomania.