The sting

In a sun‑lit villa overlooking Lake Geneva, Sir Michael Evenden, a proud baronet with a newly restored fortune, finds his peace shattered by an unexpected visitor. Dr. Laidlaw, a wiry, sharp‑tongued practitioner, has been siphoning money from the baronet for years, threatening to expose the scandalous arrangement unless his demands are met. Their opening confrontation crackles with contempt, blackmail, and a stubborn pride that refuses to yield.

The first act sets a tense, chess‑like duel of wills, as Michael vows to cut off the relentless extortion while Laidlaw offers a seemingly innocuous promise in exchange for yet another thousand pounds. Listeners are drawn into the elegant yet claustrophobic world of Swiss high society, where reputations are bartered and every reply can turn deadly. The razor‑thin line between honor and desperation fuels a compelling crime drama that spills over from polite parlour to perilous intrigue.