Chapter 23: A Birthday Ball and a Secret Legacy
The Charm Global Charity Gala was just a week away, and the "Dwarves" were a whirlwind of conspiratorial whispers and hushed phone calls. Their plan, audacious and deeply personal, hinged on a secret Grumpy had uncovered during his relentless digging into Snow's past.
Grumpy, ever the quiet hero, had found a crucial piece of information: a clause in Snow's father's will, executed just before his sudden death, that made Snow the sole inheritor of White Industries, a holding company separate from White Cosmetics. This company owned not only the original, vast tracts of land where her father had first cultivated his unique botanicals, but also numerous other properties and patents that had been meticulously shielded from the White Cosmetics acquisition. Snow, in her grief and the ensuing chaos, had been unaware of its existence, and Ravenna had somehow missed it entirely in her greedy takeover.
"Snow's father, he always did something special for her birthday," Doc murmured, pouring over old White family photo albums Grumpy had procured. "He'd recreate a magical scene, build something just for her. A 'winter wonderland' theme was a favorite."
"A winter wonderland," Bashful whispered, his eyes wide. "At the Charm Global Gala?"
"Exactly," Grumpy affirmed, a rare, almost triumphant gleam in his eye. "We'll work with Andreas. The Gala is always lavish, but this year, it will be unforgettable. It will be a surprise for Snow, a reminder of her true legacy, and a public declaration of who she truly is, beyond Ravenna's shadow."
The plan was multifaceted:
* The Enchanted Reveal: The main ballroom of the Charm Global Gala, usually a bastion of corporate formality, would be secretly transformed into a breathtaking "Winter Wonderland," complete with real ice sculptures, snow-dusted trees, and projections of falling snowflakes. This would be a direct echo of her father's cherished birthday tradition for Snow, a deeply personal gesture meant to speak directly to her heart and remind her of a time before the betrayal.
* The Legacy Unveiled: At a pivotal moment during the Gala, Andreas, with the Dwarves' help, would arrange for a public presentation. It would begin subtly, with a brief, heartfelt tribute to "visionaries in ethical innovation." Then, a screen would descend, displaying the official documents confirming Snow as the sole owner of White Industries. This public revelation would not only secure her financial independence but also serve as a direct challenge to Ravenna's perceived complete victory.
* The Legal Strike: Simultaneously, Grumpy had quietly prepared a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Queen Ravenna, citing corporate fraud, manipulation, and the deliberate suppression of information regarding White Industries during the White Cosmetics takeover. The public unveiling of White Industries at the Gala would act as the ultimate notice, a powerful statement of intent. The suit would also seek damages for the psychological distress and reputational damage Snow endured. This was Andreas's direct counter to Ravenna's long-standing malice.
* Alex's Corner: The "Dwarves" knew Alex would be there, ready to cause chaos. But with the Gala acting as a controlled stage, they and Andreas would be prepared. Any attempt by Alex to disrupt the reveal would be met with a united front, designed to expose his manipulative tactics and publicly shame him.
Andreas, when presented with the plan, listened with a rare intensity. His initial reservations about the personal nature of it quickly dissolved when he saw the depth of thought and love behind it. "It's audacious," he admitted, a faint smile touching his lips. "And deeply personal. Perfect." He understood the power of such a symbolic gesture, not just for Snow, but for their relationship and for publicly reclaiming her narrative.
He immediately put Charm Global's vast resources at their disposal, working tirelessly with the Dwarves, personally overseeing the intricate details of the transformation and ensuring the legal documents for the lawsuit were airtight. This wasn't just business; this was a fight for Snow, a reclaiming of her past, and a forging of their future, all under the dazzling, watchful eyes of their world.