A Woman of Substance

As her children plot the takeover of her retail empire, Emma Harte plans her own counter-moves against them. Emma started life as a maid in the home of Adam Fairley, the wealthy local mill owner. She works hard not only at the Fairleys but also in her own home taking care of her father, two brothers and a bedridden and dying mother.

As Emma Hartes empire grows, she arranges her assets in such a way as no one knows she is the buyer, noting that most men dont like dealing with a woman on business matters. The various layers of ownership come in quite handy as George Fairley drinks and gambles his family businesses away and she gets a opportunity to buy them cheap.