Seraphina, a Chancellor's daughter, hides her identity to marry scholar William and supports him to the top. Just as hardship ends, he brings home Luneth, claiming she's his mentor's orphan. Seraphina exposes Luneth as a courtesan with venereal disease. She divorces William, reclaims her fortune, and coldly watches him self-destruct. When framed, she counters with evidence. William loses his title to illness; Seraphina rises as the "First Lady of Commerce."