Tripp and Letitia Darling throw Nick a lavish birthday party on a yacht, despite the fact that the day before, Nick and his wife, Lisa, had been planning to celebrate privately. That was before Tripp called Nick to broker a reconciliation between himself and his eldest son, senatorial candidate Patrick, who's going through a rough patch in his own marriage as he searches for his missing transgendered mistress. Meanwhile youngest son Jeremy reveals his feelings for Lisa to the lovely and mysterious Nola Lyons; the relationship between Karen and Tripp's nemesis, Simon Elder, enters a new level of intimacy; the de-frocked Brian is reunited with his illegitimate son; the whole Darling family is dealt a blow by the death of one of their own, and someone is arrested for murder.

The newscasts report and speculate on the fiery demise of the Darlings' Valhalla estate, as well as a Darling's death in the fire. At the same time, the family must also deal with funeral arrangements and the aftermath of the arrest of an unforeseen suspect in the murder of Dutch George. Brian recommends to Tripp that, in order to restore confidence in Darling Enterprises, a successor be named - a role Simon feels that Karen deserves.
Meanwhile, a smitten Jeremy learns Nola Lyons' true profession, Nick and Lisa discuss having another child, and recording artist Kenny G performs.

When Nick agrees to defend Letitia in the murder case of Dutch George, he is shocked to learn that his mother is on the prosecutor's witness list. Meanwhile, Jeremy plans a surprise concert for Nola; Patrick tries to clear his mind of his wife's death; and Brian heads to Brazil to kidnap Brian Jr.

Tripp opposes Patrick's plan to make his relationship to Carmelita publicly known and Ellen's bother's demand to know how his sister died. Meanwhile, Nick and Lisa head to couples therapy; Jeremy works to lessen Lelita's house arrest restrictions; and Brian Jr. is suddenly missing.

Nick faces an uphill battle as he defends Letitia in the murder case. However, the tides change when Nick uncovers a secret about Nola. Meanwhile, Karen asks Nick to tell Tripp that she's marrying Simon Elder.

After Wrenn is injured on her bike by Letitia's car, Tripp offers her to recuperate at his mansion. While there she manages to make some new friends, and makes others suspicious. Lisa and Nick have a fight over Nick. Meanwhile, Nola Lyons, the new chief of staff impresses Patrick by being aggressive, but others are not. Brian is surprised to learn that Andrea is refusing to fight her cancer through a medical trial.

Nick is sent in to work his magic on Karen while she prepares for her fifth wedding, this time to Simon Elder which doesn't sit well with others. Meanwhile, despite Nola advising against it, Patrick hires Jeremy to his team; Brian finds himself growing closer to Andrea as she lays in bed getting sicker; and Letitia believes someone has overstayed their welcome.

Patrick invites Carmelita to his inauguration despite warnings not to do so. Meanwhile, Chase threatens to go public; Simon blackmails his younger brother; and Karen is mugged.

The Darlings must deal with the aftermath following the inauguration, which leaves one person dead, one shot, and one with amensia. Meanwhile, Nick and Lisa discuss custody arrangements for their daughter.

The Darlings go away, a reporter begins to dig into the truth regarding the rumors surrounding the family, and finds a chauffeur willing to talk. Meanwhile, the fashion show is held at the Darling mansion where one socialite confronts the Darling matriarch.

Lisa takes Kiki out of town and Nick takes the Darlings' jet to go after them, but he has a surprise when Brian and Karen decide to go along for their own reasons.

Karen and Nick profess their love for each other, and she reveals to him that she is pregnant with Simon's baby. Simon and Tripp plan to celebrate their new partnership and go public with their bio-fuel patent, with a party at the Darling mansion. Elsewhere, Simon chooses Jeremy to pull off his fake murder, but Nola believes he is being set up in a trap. She wants to save her bother, but fears Jeremy will be hurt by Simon. Meanwhile, Andrea learns of Brian's plans to cheat on her with his ex-wife and throws him out of the Imperial, forcing Brian to shack up with Nick. And Patrick meets again with with Congressman Whatley who hit on him, but this time it's Dana, the congressman's wife who is making moves on Patrick.

Simon's stab wounds are healing and Nick discovers how Nola has been controlled by Simon. Meanwhile, begins penning a tell all book about the Darlings, and Nola heads to China in hopes of rescuing her brother.