In imperial Brazil, a young woman stripped of her reputation is forced into exile from polite society. Recasting herself as Madam Beja, she builds an elite pleasure house that becomes a hub of political intrigue, economic power, and forbidden desire, using charm, intelligence, and ruthless strategy to bend the same men and institutions that once destroyed her.
As she awaits her fiance's return from abroad, Beja attracts the unwanted attention of a King's magistrate who upends her plans for the future.
While Beja desperately dodges Mota's advances, Antônio narrowly escapes serious trouble with help from his friend João.
While Beja sees an escalation in Mota's resolve to keep her in Paracatu, Antônio sets out to rescue his fiancée and prove the gossipers wrong.
Beja resigns herself to life with Mota, but still manages to game the system. Antônio is injured on his quest to bring his fiancée home.
As Beja settles into a routine, Mota throws her for a loop. Antônio learns a startling truth from Angélica that threatens their wedding plans.
Now back in Araxá, Beja attempts to hold her head up as she awaits Antônio's return from the capital -- not knowing he's engaged to someone else.
As Beja forges a new way forward for herself in Araxá, Josefa stands trial, and Angélica's marital struggles escalate.
Antônio and João compete for a night with Beja -- who changes the rules on them before they even realize.
Beja resets her relationship with João and stomps out an argument with Antônio by leveraging damning new intel from his uncle.
Antônio's family falls out after hearing he's back with Beja. Maria makes a startling revelation. Candinha joins Beja against the devout women.
Tormented by her own truth, Maria gives Antônio an ultimatum. Beja plays matchmaker while attempting to broker peace with the devout ladies.
Antônio refocuses his energy on family. João remains hesitant about his wedding. Felizardo grows desperate to uncover "A." Beja's rebellion backfires.
As news of Beja's attack takes hold of Araxá, Antônio and João must team up to uncover who is responsible before they can finish the job.
Antônio and João set up an ambush on Botelho. Angélica makes a startling confession. Beja comes face-to-face with the person who tried to kill her.
Antônio finally learns the truth about Beja and Mota. Then, João and Beja jump into action when Josefa lands in danger.
As Felizardo and Sampaio stop at nothing to ruin her, Beja reckons with a secret that could lead to her downfall, and Antônio chooses Beja... again.
As Beja contemplates the possibility of motherhood and the future of her estate, Carminha's parents grapple with Honorato's unfortunate status.
Antônio vows to make amends. Beja brings Angélica some much-needed peace. Josefa weighs a life-changing offer from Avelino.
As Beja considers a surprising proposal from João, Antônio officially launches his political career -- only to learn he isn't running unopposed.
After her attempts to warn his family go awry, Beja is forced to get creative in her plot to save Antônio.
After learning the truth, Maria's family is forced to find a solution. Antônio and Beja secretly reconcile. Fortunato has a revelation.
Maria delivers crushing news. After the election is decided, João and Antônio pursue very different paths. Botelhinho confronts Honorato.
After Antônio crushes her with news of a deathbed promise, Beja grows closer to João. Carminha and Honorato’s escape proves fatal.
After nearly two decades in the capital, Antônio returns to Araxá -- just as Beja's daughter Teresa demands to know the identity of her father.
As her wedding nears, Beja considers the future -- and pushes her daughters toward a more traditional path. Antônio is rocked by a secret letter.
As Antônio escalates his mission to be in Teresa's life, Beja and Angélica temporarily reconcile. Maria's new friendship proves problematic.
As Antônio appeals to the courts, Beja's daughters seek out the identity of Teresa's father on their own. Maria and Eulália receive harsh punishment.
After opening his home to Teresa, Antônio promises to be the father she deserves. Beja takes Genoveva in after a vicious beating.
Inspector Belgard explores Olívia's death -- and his interest in a local. Felizardo attacks again. Avelino returns. Maria has a fraught homecoming.
After making peace with Beja, Antônio rocks his family with a startling declaration. Later, João gets a compelling offer… and tragedy strikes again.
Belgard's investigation leads him to question Beja and Antônio. Ahead of their wedding, Beja gives João an ultimatum.
Beja, João, and Antônio's unusual arrangement becomes front-page news. Mendonça and Josefa's relationship reaches a breaking point. Teresa grows ill.
As Beja channels her grief into getting Teresa's dowry back, Ceci wounds her children in a drunken rampage, and another local winds up dead.
Joana tries to escape a tricky situation. Ceci continues to meddle. Then, the election between João and Antônio is decided... again.
Beja and Antônio finally get to be together... but it's nothing like they imagined. Mendonça and Josefa's secret is revealed.
While João agrees to temporarily fill the prosecutor role formerly held by his father, Beja orders an attack on her assailant.
A fatally wounded Antônio shares his deepest truths, Maria offers up a suspect to Belgard, and João begs for forgiveness.
Now acquitted, Beja is devastated by Candinha's discovery and João's new boundary. Maria disappears. Belgard narrows in on the possible killer.
Felizardo uncovers Genoveva's secret. Joana joins the army. Costa Pinto admits his family is in trouble. Beja finds herself in grave danger.
After being outed, Belgard and Fortunato are driven towards a desperate act of love. In the face of death, Beja leans on her kindness and compassion.
