As her children plot the takeover of her retail empire, Emma Harte plans her own counter-moves against them. Emma started life as a maid in the home of Adam Fairley, the wealthy local mill owner. She works hard not only at the Fairley's but also in her own home taking care of her father, two brothers and a bedridden and dying mother

Now in Leeds, the pregnant Emma Harte learns that Blackie O'Neill has gone to Ireland to care for a sick friend. She finds a place to stay but has tried everywhere to get a job with no success. Her luck changes when she rescues a middle-aged man, Abraham Kallinski, be stoned by two boys.

As Emma Harte's empire grows, she arranges her assets in such a way as no one knows she is the buyer, noting that most men don't like dealing with a woman on business matters. The various layers of ownership come in quite handy as George Fairley drinks and gambles his family businesses away and she gets a opportunity to buy them cheap

Now nearly 80, Emma Harte intends to travel the world with Blackie O'Neill and pass on her business empire to her favorite granddaughter, Paula, who is married to Jim Fairley and the mother of twins. But Emma's plans don't turn out as expected, while Paula endures both domestic and professional problems as her relationship with Jim deteriorates.

Paula and Shane declare their love for each other but agree to remain apart when Jim is badly injured in a car crash. The coroner makes a ruling about Min's death, and a trap is laid for the suspected plotters. Edwina and Emma make peace, but the family is in an uproar when Emma's will is read. Burdened by grief and guilt, can Paula find the happiness and passion she deserves at last?

Paula seeks to expand Harte Enterprises into Hong Kong and the Midwest-but with opportunity comes dangers, too. From his self-exile in Hong Kong, Paula's cousin Jonathan Ainsley is determined to sabotage her plans in any way he can. An armed robbery at Harte's in London leaves a young saleswoman dead and Paula increasingly reliant on her head of security, Jack Figg.