Winemerchant Louis van Laar is on the brink of bankruptcy. His son Karel, a promising tennis player is flirting with his brother Peter's girlfriend, Eva. Peter himself starts an internship at the narcotics department of the Amsterdam police. Youngest sister Loes is protected from three thugs by a young DJ after a night on the town. Cousin Gerard returns a millionaire from the U.S. and offers Louis financial help. Louis wife Emmy is most displeased about this.

Gerard has now become a full partner in the Van Laar wine business and demands an office of his own. He also organizes a party to celebrate Karel's victories on the tennis court. Karel also wins the love of Eva, now his brother's ex. Emmy confesses her deepest secret to her sister Paula; the reason why she can't stand being near to cousin Gerard. Loes seeks contact with her savior, Mick. Louis also finds himself in the arms of another woman, Sylvia.

Karel has caused an accident while driving drunk and has hurt is left arm. This means his future as a tennis player is all but destroyed. Lucky for him his uncle Gerard offers him a job. Loes discovers that Mick is addicted to heroine and vows to help him. Sylvia's 'brother' Alex begins blackmailing Louis. Peter gets an assignment shadowing an untrustworthy police informant, which happens to be Alex. He spots his own father with Sylvia.

Mick has vowed to quit taking drugs if Loes will stay with him to help. Police commissioner Venema knows Peter's report is incomplete and suspects the boy is trying to protect his father. Karel and Eva are introduced into Gerards business on his yacht the 'Phaladin'. Afterwards Karel is sent on a trip to Malaga and Leonie goes along to keep an eye on him.

Karel and Leoni have begun to have an affair in Malaga. Peter tells his father that Alex is not Sylvia's brother but her pimp. The anti-drug squad is trying to catch a couple of female couriers whom Karel happens to be watching for Gerard. When Peter spots his brother, he once again keeps his mouth shut. None of them are aware that Gerard and his men have set a trap of their own for Alex the snitch.

Loes moves in with Mick, only to learn that he is dealing drugs. Peter and Jack the local bartender are just in time to save Loes from taking an overdose, though she ends up in a coma. Elly goes into a deep depression over this. Venema gets his first solid proof against Gerard thanks to Joseph from the wine company. A grief stricken Karel decides to take a stand against Gerard.

Gerard orders De Knoest to get rid of Karel. Leonie begs Elly for help in convincing Gerard in a last effort to change his mind. When Elly tells Gerard about Karel's real parentage he leaves for De Phaladin, unaware that the anti-drug squad is closing in on his entire operation.