Charlotte receives the support of her boyfriend Paul when she discovers she's gravely ill, but Paul becomes attracted to another girl. The trio begin an ambiguous and fraught relationship.

Lucien de Rubempré, a young, lower-class poet, leaves his family's printing house for Paris. Soon, he learns the dark side of the arts business as he tries to stay true to his dreams.

Customs inspector Simon Weynachter sets out to track down Jérôme Attias and Alain Fitoussi, who are at the head of one of the biggest financial swindles of all time.