Valentine, a young model living in Geneva, accidentally hits a dog with her car. She tracks down the owner, a retired judge named Joseph Kern, who appears indifferent to the dog's welfare. Disturbed by his cold demeanor, Valentine tries to care for the injured animal herself. The encounter sparks an unlikely connection between the young woman and the reclusive judge. Despite his initial resentment, Joseph begins to open up to Valentine, revealing a past marked by heartbreak and a present consumed by voyeurism. He admits to eavesdropping on his neighbors' private telephone conversations, a hobby that both intrigues and appalls Valentine. The pair form an odd bond, with the young woman becoming a conduit for the judge's reflections on life and his own missed opportunities.

As their friendship deepens, Valentine and Joseph grapple with the concepts of fate, compassion, and the morality of his actions. Meanwhile, Valentine's own life is complicated by her relationships and her burgeoning modeling career. In another part of the city, a young law student named Auguste is on the cusp of success, both professionally and personally, with his love life seemingly intertwined with Valentine’s by threads of synchronicity and coincidence. These two stories of personal growth and contemplation run parallel, as all characters face pivotal moments that challenge their views on love, justice, and the connections that bind seemingly disparate lives.