Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group Chapter 1156: 1131: The Mask Is Torn Off
Previously on Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group...
In a flash, the King's entire demeanor appeared significantly younger.
Gazing upon the daughter he had yearned for incessantly, the King spoke, "My child, I truly never imagined I would witness your return in this lifetime."
Prior to this moment, upon receiving the devastating news of Princess Snow White's demise, the King had suffered greatly, losing his appetite and sleep, which led to a severe decline in his health.
He had resigned himself to the belief that he might be reunited with his daughter in the afterlife, potentially within days, as if father and daughter could meet again in heaven.
The scene unfolding before him now felt utterly dreamlike, almost too surreal to be real.
"Father, it brings me immense joy to see you once more," Princess Snow White replied, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Witnessing her father's aged appearance, a consequence of his deep sorrow over her absence, a profound wave of emotion washed over Princess Snow White.
Ye Chen had been correct; her father's love for her was evident, and he had missed her dearly during the time they were apart.
After they had exchanged tender words filled with longing, the King's attention then turned to Ye Chen and the group of seven dwarfs.
"Daughter, could you tell me who these individuals are?" the King inquired of Princess Snow White.
"Father, this is Ye Chen, and these are the dwarfs who were kind enough to rescue me. We have since become good friends," Princess Snow White explained.
"My sincere gratitude to all of you for saving my beloved daughter. I shall bestow generous rewards upon you," the King expressed with heartfelt thanks.
Upon hearing this promise of reward, the dwarfs were filled with an immense sense of delight.
However, Ye Chen remained impassive, as he knew the King’s intended rewards consisted merely of gold and jewels, items he held no interest in.
"We thank the King for his reward," Ye Chen and the dwarfs responded in unison.
"Daughter, I shall summon your mother now. You are aware, of course, that since the news of your supposed death reached her, your mother has been in a state of extreme distress, weeping constantly," the King lamented with a sigh.
At the mention of her mother, Princess Snow White's expression flickered, a subtle desire to intervene crossing her face, but she noticed a significant glance from Ye Chen.
Her stepmother had relentlessly sought her demise through various schemes, yet fortunately, her destiny had been strong, allowing her to narrowly escape each deadly attempt.
Despite these narrow escapes, Princess Snow White still harbored a degree of apprehension towards her stepmother.
Hearing her father's intention to call for her stepmother, a feeling of intense nervousness overwhelmed her.
" Proceed to the palace and summon the Empress here. Inform her that I have a delightful surprise awaiting her," the King instructed a nearby palace maid.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall escort the Empress here without delay," the palace maid replied with utmost respect.
She then turned and made her exit.Ye Chen was keen to witness the Evil Empress's reaction upon seeing Princess Snow White standing alive and well within the palace walls, anticipating that her expression would be quite a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, in her private chambers, the Empress was in a state of considerable vexation, having just experienced the failure of her latest attempt to poison Princess Snow White with an apple, and was contemplating her next move.
At that precise moment, a palace maid entered her chamber, disrupting her deep in thought.
"Empress," the palace maid announced respectfully.
"What is it now?" the Empress retorted impatiently.
"Empress, the King has requested your presence in the palace, stating that he has a surprise for you," the maid conveyed the message completely.
Upon hearing this, the Empress's mood brightened considerably.
It was opportune, as she was currently troubled by the persistent issue of Princess Snow White; seeing this surprise might very well alleviate her worries.
"Go and inform the King that I shall arrive shortly," the Empress commanded, her tone softening noticeably.
"Yes, Empress," the maid replied, feeling a sense of relief.
The Empress was known for her exceptionally volatile temper; even the slightest displeasure could ignite her fury, causing those in her service to tread with extreme caution, perpetually fearful of incurring her wrath.
Having delivered her message, the maid hastily departed.
Not long thereafter, the Empress arrived at the palace, adorned in a magnificent royal gown.
"Your Majesty, pray tell, what surprise do you have in store for me?"
"Empress, take a look, swiftly now. Do you recognize who this is?" the King inquired with a smile.
The Empress's gaze fell upon the young woman before her, her face contorting into an expression of disbelief: "Could it be Xue'er?"
The King, mistaking her shock for sheer elation at seeing their daughter, responded with a smile, "Indeed, my dear Empress, our deeply missed daughter has returned. She is, in fact, alive."
He continued, "Is this not a most wonderful surprise for you?"
The Empress nodded, her voice laced with feigned emotion, "Xue'er, it is truly marvelous. Since you departed, my heart has been heavy with sorrow. Now, at long last, it is a blessing to see you again."
Ye Chen's lips curved into a chilling smile as he mused, this was hardly a surprise for the Empress – it was an outright shock.
However, the Empress's acting was undeniably superb; she moved towards Princess Snow White and embraced her tightly, "Xue'er, allow your mother to see you properly. Oh, my dear, you appear to have grown so thin during these past few days. It causes me such profound pain."
As she spoke these words, ostentatious tears streamed down her face.
Ye Chen found himself somewhat impressed by the Empress's dramatic performance; he mused that if she were in the contemporary world, she would undoubtedly achieve stardom as a film actress.
Princess Snow White felt nothing but profound disgust; the sheer falseness emanating from the Empress repulsed her.
It was clear as day that the Empress had wished for her death, yet now she put on a façade of tender concern.
At this juncture, the seven dwarfs could no longer tolerate the charade and interjected, "Wicked Empress, cease your pretense at once. Deep within your heart, you desperately wished for Princess Snow White's demise, and numerous attempts to end her life have already failed. Stop portraying yourself as a benevolent figure!"
Upon hearing the dwarfs' accusation, the Empress's tears flowed even more profusely, her expression a mask of deep grievance.
“Your Majesty, my heart is heavy with sorrow due to this wrongful accusation.”
The King’s face contorted with anger. “Cease your preposterous claims! You dare to slander the Empress, who holds a profound bond with the Princess.”
“Guards, escort these dwarfs out,” the King commanded.
“We speak only the truth, not a single falsehood,” the seven dwarfs insisted.
Just as the guards moved to expel the dwarfs, Princess Snow White pushed the Empress aside and declared, “Father, please wait. What they are saying is indeed true.”
Princess Snow White’s sudden boldness stunned the Empress; she had not anticipated the young woman shedding her former weakness.
Perhaps it was Ye Chen’s influence that emboldened Princess Snow White.
She no longer harbored fear towards the Empress, knowing Ye Chen would shield her in times of peril.
The King, hearing this, appeared somewhat taken aback.
The Empress’s eyes widened. Though seething inwardly, her expression remained placid, carefully maintaining a facade of being wronged.
After a brief pause, the King composed himself. “Daughter, what do you mean by this? While she is not your biological mother, she treated you as her own. How could she possibly wish you harm?”
“Father, the Empress undeniably sought to harm me. Her current demeanor before you is merely an act. What I am about to say is the absolute truth,” Princess Snow White stated with utmost sincerity.
Upon hearing this, the Empress’s countenance darkened considerably.
Ye Chen had deliberately allowed Princess Snow White to intervene, preventing the King from dismissing the Empress so quickly. His aim was a public unveiling of her true nature, forcing the King to confront the depths of this woman’s wickedness.
Hearing Princess Snow White's resolute words, the King was profoundly shocked. He had never conceived that the Empress harbored such malicious intent.