His business associates explain his reputation prohibits his return and, when he refuses to resign, tell him he will be removed. Stanislas is released to his distraught wife and two daughters who demand explanations for his affairs and gambling, publicity for which they have suffered during his captivity. They will enforce the agreement by killing a random person and tying the death to his failure to pay. They release Stanislas after he agrees that he will secretly pay them off. The family is now cooperating with the police, who again disrupt the exchange but take one of the criminals into custody. After two months, the kidnappers arrange for another exchange. When they try to deliver the ransom, police surveillance disrupts the exchange. The family refuses to cooperate with the police. His mother rebukes his wife for not meeting his needs at home. His business colleagues use it as an opportunity to turn against him. His wife, Francoise, and teenage daughters are traumatized. Stanislas is kept in darkness, unwashed, with little food, repeatedly made to write desperate notes to his family.ĭetails of his mistresses and gambling losses emerge in the media. His business associates refuse to pay the ransom from corporate funds, but will loan the amount he will be able to repay, 20 million. His family comes into conflict with the police and his corporate associates as they struggle to raise the money. The kidnappers amputate one of his fingers and send it to his business with their demands for 50 million euros. Stanislas, a wealthy and high-profile businessman, is kidnapped and held for ransom.