Alfred Eaton returns home from World War II to find his marriage on the rocks and his relationship with his father strained. He is determined to succeed in the business world and decides to join his uncaring father's company, although their bond remains fraught. In an attempt to escape his toxic family environment, Alfred marries Mary St. John, a high-society woman more interested in social standing than love. They move to New York City, where Alfred's relentless ambition drives him to work at a prestigious engineering firm. As he climbs the corporate ladder, Alfred's personal life becomes increasingly complicated and unfulfilling.

Alfred's marriage to Mary grows colder as he becomes engrossed in his career, driven by a need for achievement and recognition. The distance between them widens further when Alfred meets the charming Natalie Benziger on a business trip. The encounter forces him to reevaluate his life choices and priorities, challenging his belief that success can only be measured in financial terms. Torn between his career ambitions and the search for genuine happiness, Alfred faces crucial decisions about his future and what truly matters in life.