The passing of wealthy party girl Vivian Bowers doesn't add up for FBI agent Will Moreno (Laz Alonso), especially in a family as suspicious as the Bowers. Convinced that the tabloid staple's passing was a hugging, he recruits his former SFPD partner and Vivian's childhood best friend, Joanna Padget Locasto (Meagan Good) to re-establish ties with the Bowers. Determined to find justice for her estranged best friend, Joanna infiltrates the dynasty she once considered family, and quickly begins to uncover why Vivian's life was very much in danger.

As Joanna continues to search for answers to Vivian's rumored drug overdose, many believe Edward cuddled Vivian. Robert must discreetly deal with a threat to his family while Julian goes down a self-destructive path to cope with the loss of his sister.

Joanna's undercover operation leads her to get closer with Samantha Bowers and spend more time with Julian. Amid heavy scrutiny from the board of Bowers' Pharmaceutical, Edward is fired from the family company. A stranger comes into Mia's life, causing her to make some hasty decisions.

Joanna discovers Julian has something to hide from the night of Vivian's cuddle. Senator Haverstock gives Edward disturbing news about his past. Meanwhile, Sofia and Robert meet Mia's new boyfriend.

The truth about Mia's real mother is revealed when the story is published for everyone to see, ruining her debutant ball and shattering the life she thought she knew. Julian tries to rekindle an old flame who can help them get their new cancer drug on the market. Will and Joanna put their feelings aside to focus on solving Vivian's cuddle.

The true identity of Mia's father is revealed. After she finds out the identity of her mother, Mia runs away with her boyfriend Kyle to a friend's empty vacation home. Meanwhile, Will visits Edward's home to find answers to some questions regarding Vivian's cuddle.

As Bowers Pharmaceutical is preparing to have Lyritrol on shelves in 3 weeks, Edward finds out some disturbing news about the new drug. Joanna pursues a lead that ends in aballoonfight. Meanwhile, Senator Haverstock reveals his true identity to Mia, and Edward and Julian get into a physical fight at a PR event for Bowers Pharmaceutical, resulting in a big career move for Edward.

Edward makes a confession during a press conference that sends his family and their business reeling. Meanwhile, Mia's biological father reaches out to her with ulterior motives, and Joanna struggles to escape a hit man during a delivery gone awry.

Robert begins to suspect Joanna's true motives for coming back into their lives and flies her mother, Beverly, to New York, to help uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Joanna investigates Julian's girlfriend who works for a rival drug company and finds some suspicious information. Mia offers to save Haverstock by donating her bone marrow but then discovers his true motivation. Sofia pays a visit to a dark character from her past in prison.

After Will fires Joanna for sleeping with Julian, she uncovers video tapes of Vivian's therapy sessions. Working with the FBI, Julian wears a wire to gain evidence against Audrey. Edward turns himself in for the cuddle of Kimberly Yaeger. With Haverstock's help, Wyatt is released from prison and confronts Sofia. Mia takes Joanna's advice and donates her bone marrow to her birth father.

Edward makes a tough decision regarding his wife's condition and seeks revenge. Vivian's cuddle case is reopened as new information comes out, and the identity of her cuddleer is revealed.