Lucious brings his three sons and Cookie together to reveal he is not dying of ALS and present them each with gifts and apologies. His gift to Jamal reveals that he has picked Jamal to lead Empire, while his gift to Cookie shows that he knows she tried to smother him the previous night. 

There is growing animosity between the three brothers once Jamal is promoted. Anika goes to see Hakeem and floats the idea of a hostile takeover. 

Agent Carter picks Cookie up and tells her they are building a case against Lucious and they need her help. Cookie declines to help them. 

At a press conference for the concert, one of Empire's artists pulls out and slams the company for having a gay leader. Jamal later confronts the artist at a rap battle. 

Hakeem, Andre, Cookie and Anika come together to take over Empire. With Anika's help, they meet a corporate raider who is willing to buy into Empire, as long as they promise to sign his grandson. 

Vernon goes to visit Andre and the two get into a physical altercation. When Rhonda comes home and sees Vernon attacking Andre, she hits him in the back of the head and kills him. The two opt not to call the cops after Rhonda reveals she's pregnant. 

At the tribute concert, Lucious is arrested for the murder of Bunkie.