Red-Headed Woman

In Renwood, Lil Andrews schemes to improve her status by targeting her wealthy boss, Bill Legendre Jr. She visits his house under the pretense of delivering mail and finally confesses her feelings, even kissing him. Bill initially resists but yields when he learns Lil carries his picture in her garter, realizing she is serious about him.

The day after Lil's attempt, William Legendre Sr. tries to separate them by offering Lil money and a job in Cleveland. Lil pretends to be offended but remains determined to pursue Bill. Bill orders Lil to leave town, deepening the rift between Lil and her prospects.

Sometime later, Lil spots Bill and Irene at a nightclub and lures Bill into a nearby phone booth. Despite his protests, they share a kiss, and he agrees to meet her at her place the following night.

Irene forgives Bill after the kiss, and the couple briefly reconciles, with the shadow of Lil's scheme lingering. They try to put their affair behind them, though Lil remains a threat to their marriage. This fragile peace sets the stage for Lil's continued pursuit of status.

The next night, an intoxicated Lil goes to Bill's house and makes a public scene in front of Irene, revealing their nightclub kiss. Bill follows her to her apartment, offering money to leave town and slapping her in a moment of frustration. They end up having sex, reigniting their dangerous dynamic.

Not long after, Bill and Irene divorce, and Lil sets her sights on Gaerste, a powerful New York coal tycoon, hoping to enter his circle by any means. Lil uses charm and manipulation to advance her social ambitions while the town watches.

During Gaerste's visit to Renwood, Lil seduces him and uses blackmail to secure an invitation for his social circle to a party at her mansion in his honor. The aspirations seem within reach as she envisions acceptance into high society. However, the guests leave early to celebrate Irene across the street.

Humiliated by the turn of events, Lil decides to relocate to New York City to pursue her dream of status in the metropolis. The move marks a shift from Renwood's small-town schemes to the bigger stage of high society.

William Legendre Sr. finds Lil's handkerchief in Gaerste's hotel room and shows it to his son. Bill reluctantly allows Lil to go to New York alone, warning that a divorce will follow if she cheats. The discovery signals that Lil's tricks have consequences for everyone involved.

In New York, Lil becomes involved with Gaerste and is entangled with his handsome French chauffeur, Albert. The double affair underscores her willingness to pursue wealth at any cost. The dynamic complicates Gaerste's life and fuels Bill's concerns.

Bill hones in on Lil's duplicity, confronting Gaerste with compromising photos of Lil and Albert, obtained through his detectives. Gaerste fires Albert as a result, eliminating the immediate complication and allowing Lil's plan to continue.

Back in Renwood, Bill reconciles with Irene, but Irene warns Lil that their marriage won't last if it's built on shallow foundations. Lil renews her pursuit of status even as Bill grows more suspicious of her motives. The uneasy dynamic hints at an unstable future.

Two years on, Bill—now remarried to Irene—spots Lil at a Paris racetrack in the company of an aging French millionaire. He hides Irene's binoculars, and Lil leaves in a limousine driven by Albert, signaling that her relentless pursuit of status remains undeterred.