As Tariq St. Patrick begins his new life at Stansfield University, he’s torn between two worlds: doing as his mother said, living his life as a normal college kid; or doing what she taught him, hustling product, to save what family he has left. On his own for the first time, he feels there has to be another way. A better way. But Tariq knows he can’t do it alone, reaching out to allies, old and new, to help him earn his way toward proving Tasha’s innocence in the murder of James St. Patrick and freeing their family from his shadow.

Haunted by the legacy of his father, Tariq tries to understand who James St. Patrick was to the people in his life, how it’s shaped Tariq’s own life, and how the memories of James St. Patrick and Ghost define the man Tariq wants to become. Carrie and Jabari’s past entanglements complicate how they counsel Tariq through this pivotal moment in his life. And as Tariq gets acquainted with Zeke’s aunt, Monet, Tasha is concerned with her son’s path, questioning how he’s paying for the expensive services of her new defense attorney, Davis MacLean.

Tariq struggles with the weight of providing for his mother’s mounting legal defense while juggling the rigors of Ivy League life. As Jabari challenges Tariq’s perspective in the classroom, Tariq recruits Brayden to help setup his operation. Tasha attempts to prove to Davis that she’s innocent as Davis grows frustrated with her lying. Monet reigns in control when one of her primeras steps out of line.

After Monet’s agreed to do business with him, Tariq initiates his play to control the drug market on campus, while insulating his and Monet’s involvement. Tariq enlists the privileged help of his old friend and new roommate, Brayden, to be the face of the operation. But Monet, apprehensive about her arrangement with Tariq, uses her children, Dru and Diana, to learn more about how he does business, as G.T.G.’s continued distractions force her to change how she does hers. And as Tasha’s preoccupied worrying about who her son’s getting into bed with, Davis takes aim at Saxe in defense of her case.

It’s Tariq’s 18th birthday, but there’s no cause for celebration, or time. Saxe brings him news that could blow up Tasha’s case. Tariq is concerned that Brayden’s budding relationship could put their business in danger. But Brayden thinks his best friend just needs to finally enjoy college, planning Tariq a surprise party against his wishes, where Tariq finds himself in the middle of Lauren and Diana on a night that just won’t end. With the Tejada business model changing, Monet presses her kids to step up, as the distractions of Stansfield threaten to derail their family’s operation.

Tariq’s hands are tied, fearing that fully letting Brayden in on their arrangement with the Tejadas has put him on a violent collision course with Cane, who demonstrates the price paid for using his name. And tired of her authority being challenged, Monet lays down the law for Dru and Diana. Davis and Saxe’s agreement is tested when they call their first witness to the stand, a face from the past that may know enough about the St. Patricks to draw Tariq into the ire.