When successful Caroline Sterling's mother Diane Sterling hires former acquaintance Brenda Jenkins as a housekeeper, chaos ensues. Brenda and her daughter Jessica Jenkins move in, trashing the house, ruining valuables, stealing money, bringing men over, breaking into the safe, and eventually kidnapping Abby for five million dollars. Caroline repeatedly forgives them, only to suffer worse betrayals. In the end, Brenda and Jessica are arrested for kidnapping and extortion. Diane Sterling repents, and peace is finally restored.