John Hayden, the artistically-minded son of a Chicago meatpacker, takes over the family business when his father dies, then marries Martha Lane, the daughter of his father's biggest rival. Martha turns out to be a selfish, ambitious woman, and John finds the kinship his marriage lacks with Laura McDonald, a beautiful opera singer. Martha refuses to divorce John, so he continues his affair with Laura, whose own career soars as John becomes one of the most influential packers in the world. During the Spanish-American War, however, John delivers tainted beef to the army and is charged with manslaughter by Theodore Roosevelt. When Roosevelt becomes President, John is tried and aquitted. Martha decides to expose John and Laura, but instead of finding John in Laura's apartment, Martha discovers Laura with another man. John is unable to accept the fact that Laura has had other lovers and leaves her, although he still loves her deeply. He focuses his energy on his work, but during World War I, he overextends himself, faces bankruptcy, and is indicted for fraud. A broken man, he flees to Greece, where he once studied art, and manages to escape criminal charges. Laura joins him there, proving her lasting loyalty.