Chapter 254
Anastasia was taken aback when she got the call from the police station. After finding out the reason, she was in total disbelief. Melinda was dead.
Just yesterday, she was having tea with Melinda, and now, Melinda was gone.
As the last person to have seen Melinda, Anastasia was questioned and brought to the police station. Still in shock, her first question to the police was, âIs Melinda really dead?â
The police responded, âWeâve confirmed the identity of the deceased. Itâs Melinda who worked at Neon Dreams.â
âHow did she die?â Anastasia asked incredulously, âShe was fine yesterday. How could she be dead now?â
âIt appears to be suicide.â The police explained, âAt one in the morning, Melinda jumped off the roof of Neon Dreams. Can you tell us why you met with her yesterday and what you two discussed? We need to know the details.â
Neon Dreams was a towering building. Melinda jumped from it and committed suicide? Anastasia wanted to know what drove Melinda to end her life in such a drastic way.
She took some time to process the news, and then answered the police, âIt was Melinda who asked to meet up yesterday.â
She recounted most of their conversation from yesterday to the police.
While taking notes, the police asked, âYouâre saying Melinda became very emotional after receiving a phone call?â
âYes, thatâs right.â Anastasia said, âMelinda started crying. She said her family was buying a house and her brother was getting married. After she calmed down, I called her a cab and sent her home. I havenât contacted her since.â
And the day after they parted ways, Anastasia heard the news that Melinda had jumped to her death. From the police, Anastasia learned that Melindaâs fall from the high-rise building had left her unrecognizable and killed her instantly. In the prime of her life, she ended it in the most drastic way.
As Anastasia was leaving the interrogation room, she was drawn to the commotion in the police station lobby. The manager of Neon Dreams was being accosted by a middle-aged couple who wouldnât let him leave. They were Melindaâs parents, who had rushed here from their hometown after hearing the news of Melindaâs suicide.
Maria was crying hysterically, demanding compensation from the manager of Neon Dreams, âMy daughter jumped off the roof at your club. You must take responsibility.â
Melindaâs roomie Daria was also there, being held back and blamed by Maria and Jay.
âYouâre Melindaâs roommate. Her suicide definitely has something to do with you. You have to pay us too.â Jay shouted.
Daria tried to explain, âWhat does Melindaâs suicide have to do with me? I had no idea. Yesterday was her birthday, who wouldâve thought sheâd jump off a building?â
The manager responded, âThe police have already concluded that Melinda committed suicide. It has nothing to do with our club. But out of compassion, weâll give you fifty thousand in sympathy money.â
Hearing the offer of fifty thousand, Maria was immediately dissatisfied and heartbroken. She said, âFifty thousand is not enough. My daughter was only in her twenties. Sheâs so young. How could she be worth so little?â
Jay added, âWhen my daughter first started working at your club, she was perfectly fine. But then later, she died there. You should compensate us. We demand one million, or weâll sue you.ââ
Seeing Melindaâs parents demand a high amount of compensation, the manager was furious. He retorted, âMelinda chose to end her life. Why should we pay a million? This is also unfortunate for us.â
Standing at the corner, Anastasia watched the scene. She noticed that Maria, though a woman from the countryside, was dressed stylishly. She had her makeup, a gold ring on her hand, and a gold necklace. Even hearing the news of her daughterâs suicide, she could still wear heavy makeup and jewelry. This didnât seem like excessive grief. From beginning to end, Melindaâs parents never asked why Melinda would commit suicide, only demanding compensation.
Remembering how Melinda had cried in front of her yesterday, Anastasia stepped forward and said, âYesterday was Melindaâs birthday. Did you know about it? Did you call to ask how she was doing here?â
Anastasiaâs questions left Melindaâs parents speechless for a moment.