Bringing Up Betty (1919)

During a lawn party at his New York home, steel magnate Theodore Morton claims that he is bankrupt to deter Lord Dormer and the Duke of Medonia, two fortune-hunters competing for his niece Betty. After the suitors depart, unscrupulous Carl Gates is informed by his fiancée, banker's secretary Adele Shelby, that Theodore was lying. Carl pursues Betty, who accepts his proposal with the belief that the marriage will benefit her uncle. During a yachting expedition with Carl, Betty falls overboard and is rescued by architect Tom Waring, who is competing in a race. Tom wins with Betty on board, and a romance develops. Adele learns of Carl's deceit and informs Theodore, who conspires with his banker to ruin Carl in the stock market. The scheme earns them $700,000, which they offer to Adele if she marries her unfaithful fiancé. She accepts, leaving Betty free to marry Tom.