Peter Milton had always promised himself he would never again live in poverty, as he had done as a child. That promise became an obsession, so great, it took over his life. He robs and cheats to climb the social ladder, riding roughshod over anyone who gets in his way. He warms his way into the affections of the Managing Director's only daughter, Katherine, whom he marries, purely to get his hands on the business. His mission is achieved, when Katherine's father dies. He cheats on her at every opportunity. Katharine sets a trap, springing it with perfect timing, causing him to be incarcerated, humiliated and lose all his ill gotten gains. After he is released, he sets about climbing the social ladder again by the only way he knows - using deviousness and underhand dealings. He is about to realise his goal, but an ex-girlfriend appears and threatens to throw a spanner in the works. He plots to have her done away with, but he is in for the shock of his life. Once again he has failed to appreciate the cunning of the fairer sex.