After the end of World War II, when Singapore returns to British rule after four years of Japanese Occupation, the lives of several individuals are thrown into upheaval by the turbulence of the times.
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 attempt to overcome the tragedy that has befallen them.
June receives a surprise visitor in the office, that sets her on a path of no return. In order to save Mariam from the clutches of her British Aunt Emma, Karim takes matters into his own hands. And Dennis and Habibullah return to the latter's army camp on another mission ... and a race against time.
Death hangs in the air for Helen, as she contemplates leaving Joy World and the life she has known. Dennis and June decide to help Mariam with her escape plans, but end up on the wrong side of the law themselves. And the verdict is out on Nakamura's case.
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. And Dennis realises that, even before the tribunal has pronounced a verdict, the rest of Singapore has already judged Nakamura.
Dennis struggles to keep it together as the day of Nakamura's trial fast approaches. After the tragic events at Joy World Nightclub, June tries to enlist the help of Major Jones, only to be caught by surprise. And Emma gives Mariam an ultimatum to return to England with her.
June enlists Dennis' help in her quest for retribution, and Dennis is forced to enlist Helen's participation. In court, Major Habibullah receives assistance from one of the men he least expected to help him. A showdown at Joy World Nightclub between the British forces and the locals results in tragedy ... and a violent death.
Major Habibullah 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 will not leave her alone.
Karim and Mariam flee, attempting to make it to the Malayan border before they can be caught by the British or their own friends from the village. George finds himself at odds with Simon, when he volunteers himself as Major Habibullah’s legal counsel. And June finds herself at odds with Dennis and Mak, who do not understand the source of her rage.
An incident at the law firm's offices 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. Habibullah's men attempt to speak up for their leader, but their campaign leads to tragedy in the war camp.
The British resort to brute force in order to extract Mariam from Kampong 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 the help of Joe, makes a breakthrough with his client. George tries to engage Major Habibullah in his fight for freedom from British rule, but the Major makes a wrong decision.
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 Habibullah and Holmes escalates, resulting in a dire consequence for Habibullah. June is given one last chance to return Mariam to Aunt Emma, and has to find a solution before it's too late.
Major Habibullah Khan, a former war hero, 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. But neither Mariam - nor the rest of the kampong - receive Emma and June with open arms.
The lawyers resolve Gim Huat's case, returning the young 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 the terrible secret his cousin has been hiding.
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 ends up opening a new friendship for Dennis, but an old wound for June.
After the war, lawyer Dennis Chiang returns to Singapore, and is handed his first case - defending a former officer of the Japanese military police accused of wartime 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.
After the end of World War II, when Singapore returns to British rule after four years of Japanese Occupation, the lives of several individuals are thrown into upheaval by the turbulence of the times.
Lee Thean Jeen
,
