The years pass and the affair bogs down. Only Renée Le Roux continues the fight to discover the truth about Agnès' death. Convicted on the financial aspect of the affair, Maurice Agnelet is imprisoned.

Agnes has disappeared. It's now been four months since anyone has seen her. Alerted by Renée Le Roux, the police discover a mysterious farewell note in Agnès' apartment which suggests that she committed suicide. But Renée Le Roux refuses to believe it.

Renée Le Roux is now the new manager of the Palais. But when she refuses to appoint him general manager, Maurice Agnelet promises revenge. He then seduces his daughter Agnès, whom he knows is madly in love with him.

Nice, 1970s. Renée Le Roux runs the Palais de la Méditerranée, the flagship of French casinos, with an iron fist. But the establishment is failing, ruined by poor management and assailed by competition.