Character Relationship Map: What If...?

Characters

• Maître Nicolas Bervesier (played by Thierry Lhermitte) — protagonist

  Maître Nicolas Bervesier is a lawyer competing for advancement at the firm alongside Maître Victor Bandini. He becomes a prominent partner and begins a secret affair with Maître Margot Dittermann, giv...

• Maître Margot Dittermann (played by Alice Taglioni) — supporting

  Maître Margot Dittermann is the central figure, a lawyer and mother struggling after Maître Victor Bandini leaves her. Her abilities win professional recognition, but she is caught between her marriag...

• Maître Victor Bandini (played by Jocelyn Quivrin) — supporting

  Maître Victor Bandini is Maître Margot Dittermann’s husband and a partner at the law firm. He competes with Maître Nicolas Bervesier for advancement, while his position becomes threatened by Nicolas’s...

• Eleonor (played by Julie Ferrier) — supporting

  Eleonor works within the law firm’s demanding daily environment and helps manage its office business. Her role places her in the professional world where Maître Margot Dittermann seeks recognition and...

• Juliette (played by Pascale Arbillot) — supporting

  Juliette is a candid adviser and close confidante of Maître Margot Dittermann. She urges Margot to resist misfortune, rebuild her confidence, and reject deception. Juliette condemns Margot’s plan to m...

• Goudal (played by Joe Sheridan) — supporting

  Goudal is part of the law firm’s professional circle, appearing among the colleagues connected with the firm’s legal work. The available plot summary gives no specific action or personal relationship...

• Maître Bertrand Lavoisier (played by Scali Delpeyrat) — minor

  Maître Bertrand Lavoisier belongs to the professional circle of the law firm where Maître Margot Dittermann develops her career. The summary identifies him as part of the firm’s legal environment, but...

• Mercier (played by Thierry Gimenez) — minor

  Mercier is connected with important legal work undertaken by Maître Margot Dittermann. The summary indicates that Margot becomes involved in cases linked to Mercier, placing this character or matter w...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Maître Margot Dittermann → Maître Bertrand Lavoisier (Professional Contacts) — A background professional connection within the legal firm.

  Bertrand Lavoisier is identified as part of the firm's professional circle during Margot's career development.

• Maître Margot Dittermann → Goudal (Professional Contacts) — A limited professional connection within the firm environment.

  Goudal is identified as part of the firm's professional circle surrounding Margot's legal career.

• Maître Margot Dittermann → Mercier (Professional Legal Associates) — Their connection is established through a significant legal case.

  Margot becomes involved in important cases, including work connected with Mercier.

• Maître Margot Dittermann → Eleonor (Professional Work Colleagues) — They belong to the same demanding professional environment.

  Eleonor helps with the office's demanding daily business while Margot becomes increasingly involved in the firm's work.

• Maître Nicolas Bervesier → Maître Margot Dittermann (Romantic Secret Lovers) — An intense affair that mixes emotional attraction with dependency and control.

  Nicolas eventually becomes a prominent partner and begins a secret affair with Margot. He gives her expensive gifts and takes her shopping.

• Maître Margot Dittermann → Maître Victor Bandini (Family Spouse) — A strained marriage shaped by separation and unresolved dependence.

  The plot identifies Victor as Margot's husband. Margot struggles after he leaves her, while their marriage remains central to her dilemma.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Juliette → Maître Margot Dittermann (Social Supportive Friend) — Juliette challenges Margot's loss of confidence and encourages independence.

  Juliette urges Margot to stop surrendering to misfortune, regain confidence, and reject practical shoes as a symbol of resignation.

• Maître Nicolas Bervesier → Maître Victor Bandini (Conflict Professional Rival) — Their rivalry combines career competition with Margot's personal conflict.

  Victor and Nicolas compete for advancement at the firm, and Nicolas later threatens Victor's position.

Story Analysis

A struggling lawyer must distinguish genuine independence from the control hidden inside marriage, ambition, and romance.

Plot Progression

1. After The Marriage Breaks — Margot is left struggling with children, inadequate alimony, and damaged self-worth after Victor leaves. Juliette challenges her resignation and urges her to recover her confidence.
2. A Vacancy In The Firm — Margot sees legal work as a possible escape. A partner's sudden death creates a vacancy, while Victor and Nicolas compete for advancement and the firm debates Margot's role.
3. Ambition And Attraction — Margot's abilities attract attention and bring her into important cases connected with Mercier. Nicolas becomes prominent and begins a secret affair with her.
4. The Price Of Protection — Nicolas gives Margot gifts, promises to leave his wife, and threatens Victor's position. His offer to establish a firm for Margot makes professional liberation inseparable from personal control.
5. Choosing Beyond Deception — Margot considers pretending to leave Victor, but Juliette condemns the deception. Margot begins to see Nicolas's attention as control, while Juliette's career story leaves Margot's final decision unre...