Be Careful What You Wish For opens with Harry Clifton and his wife Emma rushing to hospital to learn the fate of their son Sebastian; who has been involved in a fatal car accident. But who died; Sebastian or his best friend Bruno? When Ross Buchanan is forced to resign as chairman of the Barrington Shipping Company; Emma Clifton wants to replace him. But Don Pedro Martinez intends to install his puppet; the devious Major Alex Fisher; in order to destroy the Barrington family firm just as the company plans to build its new luxury liner; the MV Buckingham. Back in London; Harry and Emma's adopted daughter wins a scholarship to the Slade Academy of Art where she falls in love with a fellow student; Clive Bingham; who asks her to marry him. Both families are delighted until Priscilla Bingham; Jessica's future mother-in-law; has a visit from an old friend; Lady Virginia Fenwick; who drops her particular brand of poison into the wedding chalice. Then; without warning; Cedric Hardcastle; a bluff Yorkshireman who no one has come across before; takes his place on the board of Barringtons. This causes an upheaval that none of them could have anticipated; and will change the lives of every member of the Clifton and Barrington families. Hardcastle's first decision is who to support to become the next chairman of the board: Emma Clifton or Major Alex Fisher? And with that decision; the story takes yet another twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat.