Les Cœurs Dévoilés (The Unveiled Hearts)

Act 1: La Découverte (The Discovery)

Settings: Paris, Strasbourg & Annecy (France) | Amsterdam (Netherlands) | Brussels & Bruges (Belgium) | Copenhagen (Denmark) | Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne (Australia) 

• Félicien Garnier, working as an archivist at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris, uncovers suspicious documents hinting at corruption within the academic foundation run by Jean-Luc Delacroix.

• Louise Rousseau, a rare books curator at the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, becomes Félicien’s confidante and assists him in deciphering cryptic archival materials. Romantic sparks fly between them.

• François Garnier, Félicien’s father and a whistleblowing journalist, contacts Félicien to share background information about Jean-Luc’s past dealings.

• The investigation leads Félicien and Louise to Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, and Copenhagen, where they trace the foundation’s financial and academic influence across borders.

• Les Trois Sibylles (Stéphanie, Élise, and Géraldine) perform a cryptic piece at Le Jardin des Échos, a renowned Parisian café and cultural hub owned by Cécile Duval, foreshadowing the upheaval tied to Jean-Luc’s empire.

• In Strasbourg, Félicien and Louise consult local historians and attend a conference revealing Jean-Luc’s influence on regional academic institutions.

• In Annecy, they uncover hidden correspondence in a lakeside archive linking Jean-Luc to illicit funding schemes.

• As they share discoveries in these cities, the romantic bond between Félicien and Louise grows stronger, fortifying their resolve.

• In Sydney, they uncover critical evidence about Jean-Luc's international influence on academic grants. They share an intimate evening at the Sydney Opera House, deepening their personal connection.

• In Brisbane, Félicien and Louise discover critical financial documents at the University of Queensland, linking Jean-Luc’s foundation to illicit academic grants and shady dealings in the region. This breakthrough accelerates their investigation.

• At the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, they uncover a rare manuscript with coded references to Jean-Luc’s academic manipulations. This discovery strengthens their determination to press on.

Act 2: La Poursuite (The Pursuit)

Settings: Paris, Versailles, Marseille, Nice & Cannes (France) | London & Edinburgh (UK) | New York (USA) | Kyoto (Japan) 

• With mounting evidence, Félicien and Louise pursue Jean-Luc’s trail through major cultural and academic hubs around the world.

• Marthe Rousseau, Louise’s activist twin sister, becomes an essential ally. Having been expelled for challenging Jean-Luc in the past, she now uses her extensive network to assist the investigation.

• Étienne Rousseau (Louise’s father) hosts a philosophy salon in Strasbourg, offering ethical insights that guide the investigation.

• Désirée Rousseau (Louise’s mother), a conservation expert, provides invaluable help authenticating documents and rare books uncovered during the pursuit.

• Meanwhile, Jean-Luc intensifies his efforts to cover his tracks and manipulate influential contacts.

• Amélie Delacroix, torn between loyalty and conscience, subtly aids Félicien and Louise by leaking insider information.

• André Delacroix, caught between family loyalty and personal ethics, faces internal conflict as the stakes rise.

• Père Claude-Henri Marceau, a spiritual and moral guide, offers Félicien and Louise emotional and ethical support during their investigation.

• In Kyoto, Amélie secretly meets Louise in a teahouse to share crucial insider evidence against Jean-Luc.

• Félicien and Louise follow Jean-Luc’s trail through London, Edinburgh, and New York, uncovering layers of international corruption, securing allies, and exposing hidden networks supporting the foundation’s illicit activities.

• The couple’s bond deepens amid the high-stakes pursuit.

• Félicien and Louise intercept a coded message at a seaside academic symposium in Nice, revealing a mole within Jean-Luc’s inner circle.

• At a discreet film industry fundraiser in Cannes, they confront a media magnate complicit in spreading disinformation tied to the foundation.

• Félicien and Louise attend a high-profile gala at the Palace of Versailles, using the event to discreetly gather intel and confront key figures linked to Jean-Luc’s network.

• In Marseille, they uncover a covert meeting hub where Jean-Luc’s operatives coordinate regional influence, leading to a critical breakthrough.

Act 3: L’Affrontement (The Confrontation)

Settings: Paris, Colmar, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Tropez, Aix-les-Bains, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Courchevel, Chamonix (France) | Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich (Germany) | Prague (Czechia) | Kraków (Poland) | Zürich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Grindelwald, Gstaad, Davos, St. Moritz, Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux (Switzerland)

• Returning to Paris, Félicien and Louise prepare for a direct confrontation with Jean-Luc and his network.

• Lucien Moreau, the Director of the National Library Consortium, grapples with his misplaced trust in Jean-Luc and joins forces with Félicien and Louise to expose the corruption.

• Key meetings and high-stakes showdowns take place in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Prague and Kraków.

• Emotional and romantic moments in picturesque French towns—Colmar, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Avignon, Megève, Aix-les-Bains, Courchevel, and Chamonix—add depth to the growing tension.

• The idyllic Swiss holiday destinations—Zürich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Grindelwald, Gstaad, Davos, St. Moritz, Geneva, Lausanne, and Montreux—provide a dramatic backdrop to escalating conflicts.

• The protagonists face moral dilemmas as André makes a decisive choice that shifts the balance of power.

• Tensions escalate as Jean-Luc uses every tool at his disposal to silence opposition, but cracks begin to show in his carefully constructed empire.

Act 4: Le Dévoilement (The Unraveling)

Settings: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse (France) | Rome, Pisa, Florence, Milan, Venice, Verona (Italy) | Madrid (Spain) | Lisbon (Portugal)

• Revelations about the full extent of the corruption come to light as Félicien, Louise, and their allies gather evidence and rally public opinion.

• The struggle intensifies with key events unfolding in the culturally rich cities of Bordeaux, Lyon, and Toulouse.

• In Italy, romantic moments in iconic cities like Rome, Pisa, Florence, Milan, Venice, and Verona deepen the bond between Félicien and Louise, even as their fight for justice continues.

• In Lisbon, they uncover hidden archives revealing Jean-Luc’s manipulation of colonial-era documents, further exposing his deceit.

• Madrid becomes the stage for an international conference where Jean-Luc’s reputation faces global scrutiny, and his grip on power begins to falter.

• Amélie’s quiet defiance transforms into a powerful public statement, shaking Jean-Luc’s foundation from within.

• Les Trois Sibylles return to perform once more, their cryptic verses now serving as a rallying cry for justice and truth.

Act 5: La Résolution (The Resolution)

Settings: Paris (France) | Mexico City & Oaxaca (Mexico) | Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

• The final act reaches its climax in Paris, where a public reckoning takes place, leading to institutional reform.

• Jean-Luc faces legal repercussions for his actions, and his legacy is permanently tarnished.

• Amélie publicly denounces Jean-Luc, reaffirming her commitment to ethical practices. As a leading conservationist at the Louvre, she signals hope for a new era of transparency and accountability in the cultural sector.

• André joins Félicien and Louise in their mission to restore public trust, advocating for transparency and ethical stewardship within historical and academic institutions.

• Marthe leads the charge for new activist movements inspired by their success, pushing for global cultural reform.

• In Mexico City, Félicien presents key findings at a UNESCO summit on cultural integrity, inspiring widespread global efforts to reform archival transparency and ethical governance.

• In Oaxaca, Félicien and Louise reunite with Les Trois Sibylles in a moonlit garden, where a final prophecy affirms both justice and their enduring love, completing their journey of personal and cultural transformation.

• In Rio de Janeiro, Marthe leads a coalition of Latin American students and scholars, launching a new initiative for ethical academic governance that promises to reshape the future of education and cultural preservation in the region.

• Back in Paris, Étienne and Désirée lend their intellectual and practical support to the renewed efforts in cultural integrity, helping to guide the movement toward lasting change.

• Père Claude-Henri offers a final blessing at Le Jardin des Échos, reminding everyone of the moral duty to protect truth and integrity. His words anchor the movement’s spiritual and ethical legacy.

• Lucien works tirelessly to restore the credibility of the National Library Consortium, securing its future as a pillar of cultural preservation and scholarship.

• The story concludes with Cécile hosting the final poetic performance by Les Trois Sibylles at Le Jardin des Échos. The performance symbolizes a cultural renaissance, the triumph of truth over corruption, and the enduring power of art and integrity.

Main Characters:

• Félicien Garnier (Male Lead): An archivist and historian at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Passionate and principled, Félicien is dedicated to uncovering and preserving historical truths. He becomes embroiled in a high-stakes archival investigation that could expose long-hidden corruption within a prestigious academic foundation.

• Louise Rousseau (Female Lead): A rare books curator at the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève. Intelligent, graceful, and principled, Louise is Félicien’s confidante and romantic interest. Her quiet strength and belief in justice help ground Félicien’s more impassioned approach.

• Jean-Luc Delacroix (Main Antagonist): The ambitious and ruthless CEO of a prestigious academic foundation tied to archival institutions. Charismatic yet manipulative, he bends or breaks rules to achieve his goals, regardless of the damage it causes.

Supporting Characters:

• Étienne Rousseau: Louise’s father, a retired philosophy professor at the Sorbonne. A man of deep thought and moral clarity, Étienne’s love of reason and ethical discourse shaped both Louise’s intellectual elegance and Marthe’s principled rebellion. Although retired, he still writes occasional essays critiquing institutional complacency and hosts informal philosophy salons at his home.

• Désirée Rousseau: Louise’s mother, a former archivist who became a bookbinder and artisan conservator. Once an archivist like Félicien, Désirée shifted to the tactile preservation of books—restoring rare volumes, family heirlooms, and protest pamphlets alike. Her quiet, meticulous work mirrors her moral steadfastness, serving as a bridge between Louise’s academic world and Marthe’s activist one.

• Marthe Rousseau: Louise’s activist twin sister, who was expelled for opposing Jean-Luc’s corruption. Fiercely intelligent and passionate about social justice, Marthe leverages her extensive network to support the investigation, playing a pivotal role in exposing Jean-Luc’s international influence and corrupt dealings. Her determination and bold activism inspire global movements for cultural reform. 

• Amélie Delacroix: Senior conservator at the Louvre. Intelligent and morally conflicted, she begins to question her husband’s dealings. Amélie subtly assists Félicien and Louise without openly betraying her family.

• André Delacroix: Graduate student in archival studies and son of Jean-Luc and Amélie. Brilliant yet deeply conflicted, André is caught between loyalty to his father’s legacy and his mother’s quiet dissent. His choices could tip the balance of the investigation.

• Lucien Moreau: Director of the National Library Consortium. Once a mentee of Jean-Luc, Lucien’s misplaced trust allowed corruption to flourish. His eventual awakening to the truth becomes a pivotal moment in restoring institutional integrity.

• François Garnier: Félicien’s father, an independent journalist and former cultural attaché. A whistleblower who once worked closely with Jean-Luc, François now seeks redemption by aiding Félicien in his investigation.

• Père Claude-Henri Marceau: A wise and compassionate spiritual guide, known for his calm demeanor and deep empathy. Père Marceau offers moral and emotional support to both Félicien and Louise during their turbulent investigation, helping them navigate ethical dilemmas and personal struggles with grace and insight.

• Cécile Duval: The elegant and enigmatic owner of Le Jardin des Échos, a renowned Parisian café and cultural hub where intellectuals, artists, and influencers gather. It also serves as a discreet meeting place for key players in the unfolding investigation.

• Les Trois Sibylles (Stéphanie Lefèvre, Élise Lefèvre, and Géraldine Lefèvre): Three enigmatic sisters who perform at Le Jardin des Échos and at masquerade-themed charity galas. They deliver cryptic spoken-word performances inspired by classic texts. Their acts hint at Jean-Luc’s eventual downfall and serve as a narrative prophecy.

Primary Setting: Paris, France      

      

Other Settings: France (Strasbourg, Annecy, Nice, Cannes, Lyon, Toulouse, Colmar,  Versailles, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Bordeaux, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Tropez, Megève, Aix-les-Bains, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, Courchevel, & Chamonix) | UK (London & Edinburgh) | Dublin, Ireland | Belgium (Brussels, & Bruges) | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt & Munich) | Vienna, Austria | Switzerland (Zürich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Grindelwald, Gstaad, Davos, St. Moritz, Geneva, Lausanne & Montreux) | Italy (Rome, Pisa, Florence, Milan, Venice & Verona) | Kyoto, Japan | New York, USA | Mexico (Mexico City & Oaxaca) | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Madrid, Spain | Lisbon, Portugal | Denmark (Copenhagen & Kronborg Castle, Elsinore) | Prague, Czechia | Kraków, Poland | Australia (Sydney, Brisbane & Melbourne)