After the war, lawyer Dennis Chiang returns to Singapore, and is handed his first case: defending a former Japanese military officer accused of war crimes. Meanwhile, Dennis' cousin June has a case of her own when a former client of D'Almeida and D'Almeida is killed, leaving his fortune to his young son, Gim Huat. A fight ensues over the custody of Gim Huat – and his inherited fortune – and June is caught in the middle.
The search for Gim Huat's mother nearly costs June and George their lives when they run afoul of local gangsters. And a visit to the Joy World Nightclub opens a new friendship for Dennis, but an old wound for June.
The lawyers resolve Gim Huat's case, returning the boy to his rightful caregiver. Dennis faces his first hurdle with Nakamura's case when his own client violently rejects him. A trip to the cinema ends badly for June ... and Dennis, as he discovers his cousin's terrible secret.
War hero Major Habibullah Khan reports for duty at his newly assigned camp, and immediately antagonises his supervising officer, Lt Col Holmes. At the orders of Simon, June brings Emma Rider to the kampong so she can be reunited with her niece, Mariam. However, neither Mariam – nor the rest of the kampong – receive Emma and June with open arms.
Dennis has his first run-in with the MPAJA (Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army), who threaten his life for taking on Nakamura's case. And the tension between Khan and Holmes escalates, resulting in a dire consequence for Khan. June is given one last chance to return Mariam to Aunt Emma, and has to find a solution before it's too late.
The British resort to brute force in order to extract Mariam from Harapan, resulting in a violent clash between their soldiers and the Malay villagers. Dennis receives another warning from the MPAJA over Nakamura's case, but, with Joe's help, makes a breakthrough with his client. George tries to engage Khan in his fight for freedom from British rule, but the Major makes a wrong decision.
An incident at the law firm triggers a violent memory in June, and sets her on a path for vengeance. Dennis makes a shocking discovery in the Nakamura case, and confronts his client about it. Khan's men attempt to speak for their leader, but their campaign leads to tragedy.
Karim and Mariam flee, attempting to make it to the Malayan border before they're caught by the British or the villagers. George is at odds with Simon, when he volunteers himself as Major Khan’s legal counsel. And June finds herself at odds with Dennis and Mak, who do not understand the source of her rage.
Major Khan goes on trial with George as his defence lawyer, but faces an uphill battle when the soldiers of his own camp turn against him. Dennis hatches a plan – with help from an unexpected quarter – to uncover the mystery behind Nakamura's case. June tries to confront the demons of her past, but they persist.
June enlists Dennis' help in her quest for retribution, and Dennis is forced to enlist Helen. In court, Khan receives assistance from someone he least expects. A showdown at Joy World between the British forces and the locals results in tragedy ... and a violent death.
Dennis struggles to keep it together as the day of Nakamura's trial fast approaches. Following the tragic events at Joy World, June tries to enlist Major Jones' help, only to be caught by surprise. Meanwhile, Emma gives Mariam an ultimatum.
Estranged from the MPAJA, Helen comes under attack and must fight for her life. Emma finds a way to take Mariam into custody with or without the girl's consent, and the lawyers race against time to find a way out. Dennis realises that, even before a verdict, the rest of the country have already judged Nakamura.
Death looms for Helen, as she contemplates leaving Joy World and the life she has known. Dennis and June help Mariam escape, but end up on the wrong side of the law themselves. The verdict is out on Nakamura.
June receives a surprise visitor in the office, setting her on a path of no return. In order to save Mariam from Emma's clutches, Karim takes matters into his own hands. Dennis and Khan return to the latter's army camp on another mission ... and a race against time.
Everything comes to a head for the Chiang family. Chinese New Year is just around the corner, but will any of them live to see it? Meanwhile, at the kampong, Ahmad and his villagers struggle to overcome the tragedy that has befallen them.