Everything in Claude Arbona's life has been a resounding success. Already mayor of Castel-sur-Mer, he's about to become senator. But the toughest challenge in his life comes from the person he loves the most: his grandson Lucas, who accuses him of rape.

The scandal becomes even greater when Lucas accuses a second man. From his prison cell, Claude fights to prove his innocence and manages to gain his freedom. But his grandson maintains his accusations and Claude is sent for trial at the Crown Court.

Ten years later, on the eve of the trial, Lucas is struggling to build a life for himself. Deeply wounded but still fighting, Claude succeeds in being re-elected as mayor. But his criminal conviction and prison sentence tolls the knell for all he has built.

Having matured, Lucas begins to have doubts about the accusations he levelled against his grandfather. In a complete about-turn he withdraws his allegations. But the unwieldy legal machine has difficulty in changing direction and Lucas will have to fight alongside his grandfather to have him acquitted.