Barbara Herzog has been running the traditional Maibach paper mill since her father's death. The respected medium-sized company is a well-established family business: Mother Elisabeth works in the office, Barbara's younger brother Rainer manages the technical processes, and Barbara's daughter Ina is to join the company after graduation. When a machine failure brings production to a standstill, Barbara has to cut the annual profit distribution in order to purchase new equipment. Rainer's wife Silke, whose relationship with Barbara is a bit tense anyway, because, in her opinion, Rainer lets himself be dominated by his sister too much, is downright annoyed that the longed-for vacation is now falling into the water. In this tense situation, the wine merchant Marius Perlinger appears, nephew of a silent partner in the paper mill.