A reimagining of the 1884 Belle Époque scandal surrounding John Singer Sargent’s most famous portrait, “Madame X,” The Paris Scandal is a five-decade saga of lost innocence, callous infidelity, and calculated deception narrated by Emily Sargent, the painter’s disabled unmarried sister whose hopes for an independent love-filled life collides with her brother’s quest for fame.

Though fluent in three languages, an accomplished pianist, and possessing a native's knowledge of Europe’s great cities, few who meet Emily Sargent look beyond the hump on her back. Their contempt has one advantage: obscurity frees her to study others—including those who so easily dismiss her. An aspiring artist, Emily hopes to emulate her brother John’s growing success. Unfortunately, her aging parents see no future for her beyond being their caregiver.

Witnessing socialite Amélie Gautreau’s grand entrance at the opera, John vows to paint her. Amélie wants this too. Should the portrait’s Salon debut reinforce her standing as a renowned beauty, she assumes her lover, gynecologist Samuel Pozzi, will finally leave his wife.

Although Amélie’s husband, Pierre, suspects her infidelity and worries that, over time, the portrait will remind her of her lost beauty, he relents. But when Amélie’s brazen affair sends him into despair, Emily finds the courage to admit she loves him.

In John, Amélie, and Samuel’s ruthless pursuit of celebrity, lies are told, alliances are made, and Emily’s future is sacrificed. Her revenge: undermining the painting’s success, inciting lifelong consequences for all.