Victoria Guanipa, a woman of mixed race uses her beauty and cunning to climb the social ladder and gain power in a society marked by racial and class divisions. Her ambition clashes with the traditions of the landowning family she marries into, particularly with Nicolás del Casal, who represents old aristocratic values.

Juan is summoned by Goldenberg to offer him a job in the cheap business. To get away from him, Pardo evades his proposals justifying himself by saying that he must consult with his partner; who, in reality, does not exist. As the story progresses we can see how this partner, who is called Mr. Davis, takes on a life of his own inside Juan's mind.