The plot begins when a baby is dropped off at boarding school by a mysterious woman who convinces the headmistress of the school to take care of the girl. In exchange for that she would receive 22 very valuable black pearls, and the girl should receive the last pearl when she turns 21. Without further information on the girl's origin, the principal registers her as her daughter, and gives her the name Pearl. During her stay at the schoolPérola, meets Eva, an orphan who becomes her best friend, and who was also left at school when she was little. Eva has a very rich family but the only member who visits her is her grandfather Carlos. Eva falls in love with Tomás, a womanizer who also tried to win over Pérola, without much success. Eva accuses her friend of envy and of wanting to take her boyfriend, but Pérola tries to warn her that he just wants to use her. Tomás deceives Eva with false promises of marriage, and ends up getting her pregnant.