Beautifully Trimmed

Summary

In the bustling, indifferent metropolis of New York City, the ostensibly unburdened Norine Lawton navigates an independent existence, only to become ensnared in the sophisticated web of Count Bonzi, a charlatan whose aristocratic veneer conceals a predatory avarice. Unaware of his true nature, Norine is coaxed into complicity, serving as an unwitting instrument in Bonzi's elaborate scheme to offload valueless shares of the Mercer Oil Co. onto Christopher Gibbons, a man of substantial means and a decorated war hero. The intricate machinations of the swindle, however, begin to fray at Norine's conscience as an unexpected emotional entanglement blossoms between her and Gibbons. Her burgeoning affection for the wealthy veteran compels her to confront her moral quandary, leading her to the precipice of revelation, determined to expose Bonzi's perfidy. Yet, as she prepares to unburden her soul and unveil the deception, Gibbons reveals a profound counter-revelation, a twist of fate that reconfigures the entire narrative, shifting the power dynamics and challenging Norine's perception of both her rescuer and her own agency.

Synopsis

Pretty young Norine Lawton lives by herself in New York City. She becomes friendly with Count Bonzi, who--unbeknownst to her--is a swindler. He talks her into helping him sell worthless stock in the Mercer Oil Co. to Christopher Gibbons, a wealthy and retired war hero. However, when Norine finds herself falling in love with Gibbons, she decides to warn him of Bonzi's scheme. Gibbons, however, has a surprise in store for her.