A Very Special Favor

In a Paris courtroom, Paul Chadwick, a wealthy oilman, wins a high-stakes case against Boullard by using his irresistible charm to sway the female judge. The courtroom drama demonstrates Paul's influence and Boullard's wounded pride. Boullard leaves defeated, vowing to retaliate in some fashion. The victory sets a tense tone for the men’s ongoing rivalry.

Boullard heads to New York to find his daughter Lauren, whom he has not seen in over 25 years since his wife left him. He learns that Lauren has become an accomplished psychologist and a formidable career woman. He keeps his identity hidden and plans to guide her life from afar rather than confront it directly.

On the plane to New York, Boullard meets Paul again. He complains about losing because of Paul's supposed French charm, and Paul apologizes for hurting French pride while offering a favor in return.

In New York, Boullard discovers that Lauren is a successful psychologist and engaged to Arnold Plum. He recognizes how his absence shaped her and resolves to influence events from a distance rather than reveal himself. He decides to enlist Paul's help in reshaping her life.

Boullard contacts Paul with a plan to have an affair with Lauren, hoping to awaken her passion beyond her career. He believes Paul, a consummate womanizer, can destabilize her routine. Paul is wary but intrigued by the chance to confront his own limits.

Paul is initially reluctant, sensing Boullard's motive and the risk of hurting Lauren. He ultimately agrees to help after recognizing Boullard's curiosity about his courtroom victory and noticing the opportunity to test his own appeal.

Paul adopts the role of Lauren's patient, spinning a story about irresistible charm and a fear of suicide if he succumbs to women. He uses this persona to get close to Lauren while keeping his distance emotionally. The dynamic grows more personal as he spends time with her in New York.

The two go out to a restaurant in New York, where Lauren tries to prove that Paul can enjoy a night out without flirting. Their chemistry deepens, and the boundaries between professional plans and personal attraction blur. The evening marks a turning point in their relationship.

Towards the end of the night, Lauren drinks too much champagne and passes out. Paul carries her back to her hotel and stages a scene that suggests they have slept together. The ruse unsettles Lauren when she wakes, setting the stage for a confrontation about truth and manipulation.

The morning after, Lauren learns the staged encounter was a setup. Boullard then reveals his true identity to her, shocking her with the revelation of his paternity and his long-hidden involvement. They decide to work together to outmaneuver Paul.

Lauren proposes a plan to throw Paul off balance by inventing a Spanish lover who will tempt him. She tells Paul about this supposed rival and uses it to humiliate his ego. The plot returns the power dynamics to their favor and intensifies the cat-and-mouse game.

Paul goes on a drinking spree to cope with the wager, aided by a switchboard operator, Nita Talbot, who falls for a chauffeur, Larry Storch, in the process. This subplot fuels Paul's jealousy and accelerates the plan's momentum. The ensemble tie-in brings the main characters closer together in the endgame.

The jealousy tactic succeeds in rekindling their feelings, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation. Paul and Lauren marry and eventually become parents to several children, sealing their unlikely romance. The timeline closes with a hopeful, family-forward ending.