The "Winter Wonderland" shimmered, a living dream. Snow, still reeling from Andreas's heartfelt gesture, felt a lightness she hadn't experienced in years. She clung to his arm, allowing herself to bask in the warmth of his presence and the quiet magic of the transformed ballroom. For a fleeting moment, the shadows of her past seemed to recede, lost in the falling snowflakes and the gentle hum of happiness.
Then, a ripple of unease spread through the grand entrance. A collective hush fell, and heads turned as a new presence commanded attention. Queen Ravenna, Snow's stepmother, swept into the ballroom, her entrance as meticulously orchestrated as any Charm Global event. She was a vision of severe elegance in a gown of deep, predatory crimson that seemed to absorb the light, a stark contrast to the ethereal wonderland around her. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, immediately locked onto Snow and Andreas.
Andreas felt Snow stiffen beside him. He instinctively tightened his grip on her arm, his gaze hardening as he met Ravenna's cold stare. He had anticipated her presence, but her timing, her almost theatrical arrival, signaled trouble.
Ravenna moved through the crowd with practiced grace, a venomous smile playing on her perfectly made-up lips. She bypassed polite greetings, her sole focus on her former stepdaughter. As she drew near, the air around them seemed to crackle with unspoken history and bitter rivalry.
"Snow White," Ravenna purred, her voice a silken lash that cut through the soft music. She paused just a few feet from them, her eyes raking over Snow, taking in the shimmering silver gown and the protective stance of Andreas. A flicker of annoyance crossed her face as she saw the sheer scale of the "Winter Wonderland" – clearly a tribute to Snow, a public declaration of affection.
"You look well," Ravenna continued, though her tone suggested the opposite. Then, her gaze shifted to Andreas, a glint of predatory assessment in her eyes. "Andreas Charm. A pleasure, as always. Though I must say, your taste in… associations… has become rather peculiar."
Andreas's jaw tightened. "My associations are my own, Ravenna. As is my company." His voice was a low warning.
Ravenna's smile never wavered, but her eyes hardened. She turned back to Snow, her hand subtly reaching into her small, elegant clutch. "I heard a whisper that you've been busy, Snow," she said, her voice dripping with mock concern. "Trying to stir up old dust, perhaps?"
Then, with a flourish that drew the attention of several nearby guests, she pulled out a slim, legal-looking document. It was a copy of the multi-million dollar lawsuit Andreas and the Dwarves had prepared, intended for a strategic reveal later. Ravenna, somehow, had gotten wind of it.
"This little surprise from your lawyers," Ravenna declared, holding up the document for Snow to see, "is quite charming, I must admit. Filing a lawsuit against me? For corporate fraud?" She let out a short, chilling laugh. "Darling, you really haven't learned, have you?"
She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a theatrical whisper meant for Snow, but loud enough to be overheard by a few startled onlookers. "You think you can win this, Snow? You think you can touch me? I built my empire on the ashes of yours, my dear. And I know every dirty secret, every weak link. You'll lose. Again. I am going to win this, Snow. And when I do, you will regret ever raising your head again."
The unspoken threat hung in the air, cold and menacing. Ravenna's eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction, a clear challenge laid bare in the heart of Andreas's domain. She had not only intercepted their move but had chosen this public, dazzling stage to throw down her own gauntlet, reasserting her power and aiming to crush Snow's spirit before the night truly began. The magic of the "Winter Wonderland" seemed to dim, overshadowed by the venom of her presence.