The safe, secure, boring life of Charlie Cross, a wealthy, successful solicitor is irretrievably shattered when he embarks on an illicit, passionate affair with the beautiful, mysterious Viola whom he meets one evening whilst investigating the background of his latest criminal client, Edgar Bosco. Charlie is immediately smitten by Viola and falls completely under her spell. Gradually, Charlie becomes more and more obsessed with Viola and does anything to be with her, much to the detriment of his career, reputation, family and marriage. Edgar Bosco learns of the affair and takes revenge upon Charlie by destroying what he loves in equal measure for that which Charlie has destroyed that Edgar loves with very drastic consequences for all members of the Cross family.