Hatem Zahran "pushy man" escapes from military service and travels to America in order to get his PhD in Agriculture, in contrast to his older brother Yahya, a gallant young national who holds traditional values and the family favor, and who is killed in the October War in '73. The United States backs Hatem financially. He acquires great wealth and builds a factory for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals; events in his life begin to escalate dramatically. Wafiq, his brother Yahya's friend, agrees to be his business partner and manage the company, but with reserve. Hatem marries his mistress in order to have the protection of the aura and influence of her father. Fatima, Yahya's widow, who gave birth to Yahya's only son, tries to deny Hatem his inheritance...but his father addressed it to him. Hatem divorces his wife. Wafiq, ultimately loyal to Yahya, leaves the business he built with Hatem, marked by corruption - illegal dealings, bribery, and theft. Hatem, ever-driven, seeks to establish a new business with a new partner.