Jenny Wintle, merchant banker, is confronted in her London office by Xavier De Souza, the arrogant and chauvinistic chairman of Malaysian company Eastern Construction. Jenny is transferred to the newly open Singapore office, here she meets De Souza once again. He is rude and aggressive but she feels a reluctant fascination for him despite the fact that he refuses to do any business with women. Jenny's London flatmate, Linda Sullivan, who is crazy about lists, gives her a framed list of eight ways of 'getting your man', as a farewell present. Against a background of bitter business rivalry and intrigue Jenny and Xavier find they must revise their opinions both of themselves individually and each other.