The story begins when Gordian Curtis, a rich and influential businessman, is found dead, apparently drowned in a flood. His death leads to an unexpected change in the fate of his family members. Gordian’s widow, Mrs. Curtis, is a domineering woman who has spent years maintaining control over her late husband's fortune, and now her family members are desperate to secure their financial future.

Gordian Curtis had always been secretive about his wealth, and his passing reveals a number of unsettling facts about his estate. His will creates tension and confusion, with the bulk of his fortune seemingly intended for his niece, Rosaleen. However, Rosaleen’s inheritance is conditional on her marriage to a man of his choosing. Her new husband, David Hunter, a seemingly quiet and kind man, enters the picture as part of a carefully orchestrated plan that Gordian Curtis had laid out.