Owner Hortense is engaged in a constant effort to stop her girls from escaping, a local crook is after her money and she is also about to lose her star employee Vera - who is leaving to become the official mistress of Baron du Plessis. Meanwhile, country girl Rose arrives in search of her mother, a former prostitute.

After learning that one of the girls has been attacked, Vera causes outrage by inciting a strike at Le Paradis. Rose manages to evade a trap set for her, while Hortense's control of the business is challenged

Hortense's detested brother Pierre Gaillac takes control of Le Paradis and puts an end to the strike before trying to subdue Rose, who is having difficulty adjusting to her new life. The little calm he creates is shattered when Vera sees a jewel that used to be belong to her lover around fellow prostitute Angele's neck.

Rose's discovery of an old photo of her mother fuels her quest for the truth, while Hortense's scheming brother Pierre approaches Vera with an offer she cannot refuse

Hortense hatches a plan to fight back at her brother's exploitation of Le Paradis, while Rose deals with a startling revelation when she questions the madam about her mother.

Hortense is angered by her brother's continued exploitation of Le Paradis, so when he invites wealthy clients to the brothel, she orders the women to remain in their rooms. Rose cuts all ties with her fiance and searches for the truth about her mother's death, discovering she was close to madame

Pierre's wife turns up at Le Paradis in search of revenge, and when a tussle with Vera ends in tragedy her husband is willing to go to any lengths to cover it up

As Hortense seeks the ultimate revenge on her brother, Rose finally discovers the fate that befell her mother