The Lady Pays Off

Evelyn Walsh Warren is named Teacher of the Year and her photo graces Time magazine's cover. Despite the acclaim, she feels her life is empty and uneventful. She longs for something more meaningful than routine recognition.

She travels to Reno to gamble and ends up losing $7,000 after mistaking $100 chips for $1 chips. The loss shatters her finances and pride, pulling her into a debt she cannot easily escape.

Casino owner Matt Braddock offers to tear up her IOU if she can learn what's wrong with his nine-year-old daughter Diane. The proposal thrusts Evelyn into a bond with a man she barely knows and a child she has yet to meet.

When Evelyn refuses the debt, they settle it with a card draw. She draws a king, but he tops her with an ace by cheating, humiliating her and pushing her to walk away.

Defeated, Evelyn accompanies Matt to his home in Carmel, California. The change of scenery shifts her perspective from money and debt to the possibility of genuine connection.

At Carmel, Evelyn overhears Diane speaking to her father on the phone and feels ashamed for misjudging the girl. The moment breaks the ice, and she quickly becomes a warm friend to Diane.

Diane grows happy with Evelyn's companionship and begins nudging to set Evelyn up with Matt. Evelyn responds by opening up and letting the girl influence her feelings.

Kay Stoddard, Matt's old flame, shows up and stirs trouble. Diane schemes to remove Kay from the scene by luring Kay toward poison oak, a petty act that showcases the girl's resourcefulness.

During a fishing trip, Evelyn secretly disables the boat motor to spend more time with Matt. A commercial fishing boat rescues them, and she gets drunk on seasickness remedy, admitting she has fallen for him; they become engaged.

Matt sells his casino so Evelyn won't be ashamed of him, but Evelyn reveals that the plan was all an act. The revelation shocks him, and she returns home, leaving their engagement unresolved.

Back home, Marie the housekeeper informs Evelyn that Diane has run away. Evelyn flies back to Carmel, and they blame each other for the crisis.

Diane, with Marie's encouragement, turns out to be hiding and uses the ruse to bring Evelyn and Matt together. The children coax the couple to recognize their true feelings, and Evelyn and Matt realize they truly love each other.