Mary, a Nigerian woman, returns home to find her door padlocked by her landlord, Sebastian Moses, a notorious Handsworth landlord now moving into Empire Road. Everton, the traditional Godfather of Empire Road, is having his hair cut when Moses walks in. The two old enemies greet each other. Everton is immediately threatened by Moses' plans to extend into Empire Road. To preserve his status as number one Godfather, he needs to act swiftly.

When Moses makes an attempt to tempt away Everton's loyal assistant, Walter Isaacs, who is troubled by a son failing at school and a wife who demands more money, Everton comes up with a plan. It is a sting, involving his wife Hortense and Mary.

Everton provides security guards to help Mary counter Moses' intimidation. Then, as a sitting tenant, he offers to buy the flat from Moses at a fraction of the cost. Moses refuses: he won't give Everton the benefit of a victory. He would rather sell it to another buyer, the mysterious and beautiful Hortense, even if it means making a loss.

Hortense buys the flat at a fraction of its price. When Moses discovers who she is, a new round of hostilities with Everton is declared.