<P> Years before, Ali Pasha of Janina had been betrayed to the Turks by Fernand . After Ali's death, Fernand sold Ali's wife Vasiliki and his daughter Haydée into slavery . While Vasiliki died shortly thereafter, Dantès purchased Haydée . The Count manipulates Danglars into researching the event, which is published in a newspaper . As a result, Fernand is investigated by his peers and disgraced . When Albert blames the Count for his father's downfall and challenges him to a duel, Mercédès, having already recognized Monte Cristo as Dantès, goes to the Count and begs him to spare her son . During this interview, she learns the truth of his arrest and imprisonment but still convinces the Count not to kill her son . Realizing that Edmond now intends to let Albert kill him, she reveals the truth to Albert, which causes Albert to make a public apology to the Count . Albert and Mercédès disown Fernand, who is confronted with Dantès' true identity and commits suicide . Albert and Mercédès renounce their titles and wealth and depart to begin new lives . </P> <P> Valentine, Villefort's daughter by his late first wife, stands to inherit the fortune of her grandfather (Noirtier) and of her mother's parents (the Saint - Mérans), while Villefort's second wife Héloïse seeks the fortune for her son Édouard . The Count is aware of Héloïse's intentions and introduces her to the technique of poison . Héloïse fatally poisons the Saint - Mérans, so that Valentine inherits their fortune . Valentine is disinherited by Noirtier in an attempt to prevent Valentine's impending marriage with Franz d'Épinay, whom she does not love . The marriage is cancelled when d'Épinay learns that his father (believed assassinated by Bonapartists) was actually killed by Noirtier in a fair duel . Afterwards, Valentine is reinstated in Noirtier's will . After a failed attempt on Noirtier's life which leaves Noirtier's servant Barrois dead, Héloïse targets Valentine so that Édouard will get the fortune . However, Valentine is the prime suspect in her father's eyes in the deaths of the Saint - Mérans and Barrois . On learning that Morrel's son Maximilien is in love with Valentine, the Count saves her by making it appear as though Héloïse's plan to poison Valentine has succeeded and that Valentine is dead . Villefort learns from Noirtier that Héloïse is the real murderer and confronts her, giving her the choice of a public execution or committing suicide . </P> <P> Fleeing after Caderousse's letter exposes him, Andrea is arrested and returned to Paris, where Villefort prosecutes him . While in prison awaiting trial, Andrea is visited by Bertuccio, who tells him the truth about his father . At his trial, Andrea reveals that he is Villefort's son and was rescued after Villefort buried him alive . Villefort admits his guilt and flees the court . He rushes home to stop his wife's suicide but is too late; she has poisoned her son as well . Dantès confronts Villefort, revealing his true identity, but this drives Villefort insane . Dantès tries but fails to resuscitate Édouard, causing him to question if he has gone too far . </P> <P> After the Count's manipulation of the bond market, Danglars is left with a destroyed reputation and 5,000,000 francs he has been holding in deposit for hospitals . The Count demands this sum to fulfil their credit agreement, and Danglars embezzles the hospital fund . Abandoning his wife, Danglars flees to Italy with the Count's receipt and 50,000 francs . While leaving Rome, he is kidnapped by the Count's agent Luigi Vampa and is imprisoned . Forced to pay exorbitant prices for food and nearly starved to death, Danglars signs away his ill - gotten gains . Dantès anonymously returns the stolen money to the hospitals . Danglars finally repents his crimes, and a softened Dantès forgives him and allows him to leave with his freedom and 50,000 francs . </P>

Characters in the count of monte cristo book