Born to Be Bad

Donna Foster agrees to host Christabel in San Francisco while she attends business school. This arrangement sets the stage for Christabel's takeover of Donna's life. Christabel's charm is immediate, but Donna senses a hint of trouble under the surface.

Christabel flirts with Donna's fiancé, Curtis Carey, at a party for Donna's painter friend, Gabriel Broome. The attraction is clear and plants seeds of jealousy and manipulation. The scene establishes Christabel as a scheming social climber.

Christabel also draws the interest of aspiring author Nick Bradley. He notices her bold charm and ambition. Their budding interest hints at a forthcoming love triangle.

While having her portrait painted by Broome, Christabel is summoned by Curtis to visit a jeweler. She goes along to help him choose an expensive engagement gift for Donna. The moment reveals Curtis is seeking her advice rather than pursuing genuine romance.

After Curtis buys the costly item, Christabel plants seeds of doubt in Donna's mind about the engagement gift. She insinuates that accepting such a lavish gesture would make Donna seem money-driven. The manipulation drives a wedge between Donna and Curtis.

Christabel convinces Curtis to propose a prenuptial agreement. The idea offends Donna and challenges the trust in their relationship. Christabel's plan to control the narrative starts to take hold.

Donna, offended by the prenup, breaks off the engagement with Curtis. The breakup removes Donna from the immediate access to Curtis's fortune, at least for the moment. Christabel's scheme seems to be succeeding at her stated goal.

With Curtis now potentially available, Christabel rebuffs a marriage proposal from Nick, whose novel is about to be published by Caine. She still harbors feelings for Nick but intends to keep the affair secret until Curtis's fortune is secured. Nick is left disgusted by the arrangement.

Christabel and Curtis begin a love affair that culminates in their wedding, elevating Christabel to high-society status. The marriage cements her social standing and consolidates her leverage over Curtis.

On the ball night, Christabel reveals she remains attracted to Nick. She secretly leaves a vacation resort for a rendezvous with him, hoping to conduct the affair in secret while still enjoying Curtis's fortune. Nick is disgusted by the proposition.

Christabel had used a note about visiting her aunt Clara to cover her reunion with Nick. Caine exposes the lie to Curtis, informing him that the supposed aunt had died. Curtis angrily commands Christabel to leave the premises.

Curtis reunites with Donna after sending Christabel away, receiving only a few expensive furs as her belongings. The couple begins to reckon with the consequences of Christabel's manipulation. The resolution hints at rebuilding trust, despite the breached promises.