The Metropolitan Opera House's grand foyer had been transformed into a celestial fox‑forest: scarlet lanterns draped from gilded balconies, holographic constellations of fox silhouettes swirling above the parquet floors, and a soft red glow reflected on marble columns. Guests in crimson and black arrived beneath an archway of illuminated fox‑ear arches, each greeted with a “Foxfire Fizz" cocktail served in smoky glass flutes.
Lena Rivers stepped onto the velvet‑roped stairs, the train of her ruby‑silk gown pooling at her feet. Across the foyer, Damien Blackwood appeared beside her, stately in a midnight‑black tuxedo, fox‑ear lapel pin glinting against his satin lapel. Max followed close behind, dressed in a tiny fox‑embroidered blazer and bouncing with excitement.
“Mommy, look!" Max tugg
