Woman of Straw

Anthony orchestrates the marriage scheme to access his uncle Charles's £50 million fortune. Since Charles is a wealthy tycoon who hasn't left Anthony anything in his will, Anthony manipulates Maria into marrying the old man with the promise of one million pounds. Anthony believes that once Maria is married to Charles, he can control her and eventually get his hands on the inheritance.

Anthony's initial recruit of Maria, presenting himself as a concerned nephew, hints at his ulterior motives from the start.

After marrying Maria on the yacht in Mallorca, Charles experiences a transformation and develops genuine feelings for her. Despite her initial motivation being financial, Maria's sincere care and patience during his verbal abuse touch Charles, leading him to change his will. He leaves his entire fortune to Maria while leaving his nephew Anthony only £40,000.

Charles's initial abuse of Maria plants the seeds for his later change of heart, as he tests her loyalty.

Charles is murdered by his nephew Anthony, who poisons him with barbiturate poison. Anthony administers the poison to Charles on the yacht to speed up his death and claim the inheritance faster. This murder is revealed later through a tape recording Charles made on his deathbed exposing Anthony's crime.

The suddenness of Charles's death and Anthony's quick proposal to fake Charles's survival hint at foul play.

After Charles dies on the yacht, Anthony convinces Maria that they must pretend Charles is still alive to protect their interests. Anthony proposes they maintain the illusion until they return to the estate, believing this will prevent immediate suspicion and allow them to secure the inheritance. However, Anthony's real intention is to frame Maria for the murder.

Anthony's immediate suggestion to fake Charles's survival reveals his calculated nature and sets up his framing scheme.

Anthony's real plan is to frame Maria for Charles's murder. After poisoning his uncle, Anthony orchestrates the fake survival story knowing that when the truth emerges, Maria will be the prime suspect. He intends to have her convicted of murder, which would clear the way for him to claim the fortune as Charles's only remaining relative.

Anthony's manipulation of Maria into the marriage and his quick action after Charles's death reveal his calculated scheme.

During the investigation, Maria uncovers the truth about Anthony's crime. She learns that Anthony had poisoned Charles with barbiturate poison to secure his inheritance. The betrayal strikes Maria deeply as she realizes she was an unwitting participant in Anthony's murder scheme and was being set up to take the blame.

Maria's growing suspicion of Anthony's behavior and his unusual interest in the will changes provide hints.

The tape recording contains Charles's deathbed confession revealing that Anthony poisoned him. Before Charles dies, he manages to record a message exposing his nephew's crime. Detective Lomer and the servant Thomas discover this crucial evidence, which completely dismantles Anthony's framing scheme and proves Maria's innocence.

Charles's change of heart toward Maria and his decision to change his will suggest he knew something was wrong.

After being exposed by the tape recording evidence, Anthony attempts to flee the estate. In his panicked escape, he runs toward the grand staircase and falls to his death. The wheelchair containing Charles's body is pushed toward him, and as Anthony tumbles down the stairs, he dies under the ominous sight of his uncle's ghostly wheelchair looming above.

The ghostly presence of Charles haunts Anthony throughout the film, building to this symbolic confrontation.

Maria confesses the truth to the detectives because the weight of the deception becomes unbearable. She reveals that Anthony hired her to marry Charles for money and that they pretended Charles was still alive after his death. This confession initially casts suspicion on her as a murder suspect, but ultimately leads to the unraveling of Anthony's entire scheme.

Maria's sincere nature and guilt over her participation in the deception drive her to seek redemption through confession.

After Anthony's crimes are exposed and he dies attempting to flee, Maria is exonerated in court. The evidence clears her name, and she is found innocent of all charges. Maria inherits Charles's entire estate and £50 million fortune, achieving a triumphant outcome despite the trauma she endured.

Charles's decision to change his will in Maria's favor foreshadows her ultimate inheritance.