Chapter 79: Accusations
“Don’t just stand there, Merlin! Capture that murderer. Don’t let her get away!” Melissa demanded, her eyes fixed on Jane.
Merlin, an ardent admirer of Melissa, was putty in her hands. He was here to do her bidding, and Melissa intended to use him to deal with Jane.
Merlin was utterly infatuated with Melissa, willing to do anything to please her. As soon as he received her command, he nodded and charged towards Jane, blocking her path.
“Jane? Where do you think you’re going after killing someone?” Jane was caught off guard by Merlin’s accusation. She frowned and pointed at the lake, saying, “I didn’t kill anyone. Save Monica. She can still be saved now. If you keep blocking my way, she’ll drown. Who will be the murderer then?”
Jane’s assertive tone momentarily disarmed Merlin, who stepped aside involuntarily.
Melissa quickly reminded him of his duty. “Merlin, don’t listen to her. We both saw her push Monica into the lake. Even if Monica dies because we didn’t save her, Jane is still the murderer. Don’t let her escape. I’ll call the police.”
Merlin reverted to his foolish self. “Don’t worry, Melissa. She won’t get away on my watch.”
Satisfied, Melissa grabbed her phone and called the police to report the incident. “Hello? Someone was pushed into the water. The culprit is trying to run away. Yes, it happened at Lover Lake. Please come quickly.”
Jane’s face turned cold. Instead of calling for help for Monica, Melissa had called the police. Jane questioned Melissa’s motives, “Monica is drowning, and you’re calling the cops? If you continue like this, she’ll drown, and you’ll accuse me of murder.”
A malicious gleam shone in Melissa’s eyes. She didn’t care if Monica drowned as long as she had a chance to implicate Jane. Monica’s survival would mean that Jane might be charged with intentional assault at most. If Monica died, Jane would be labeled a murderer, and Melissa’s word against Jane’s would be damning.
The police were more likely to believe Melissa’s version, and Merlin would testify in her favor. This scheme was the final blow she needed to get rid of Jane.
Melissa was ecstatic at the thought of finally getting rid of Jane and prepared for her impeccable act.
“You’re a murderer, Jane. You’ll be locked up for life!”
Jane was too stunned to respond. She couldn’t fathom Melissa’s motive. Just as she was about to push Merlin out of her way, Osborn appeared on the scene.
“What’s going on?”
Osborn’s cold voice echoed, and Jane saw him. He had been worried about Jane’s prolonged absence and decided to search for her.
He was taken aback by Melissa and Merlin’s actions and overheard the word “murderer.”
“You arrived just in time, Osborn. Monica fell into the lake,” Jane explained, pointing at the water. “Help me hold off this man. I have to save Monica. Call 911.”
Osborn complied, leaping into the cold lake, fully clothed. Jane was concerned since she knew he wasn’t a strong swimmer. Osborn reemerged from the water, holding Monica.
Frightened, Jane dialed 911. “Hello, someone nearly drowned in Lover Lake. Please send an ambulance ASAP!”
Osborn, struggling to breathe with chattering teeth, assured Jane, “I’m fine.” Together, they laid Monica on the grass.
“Monica! Can you hear me? Wake up!” Jane implored, patting Monica’s cheeks.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
However, Monica remained unresponsive, her face pale and lips turning purple. Jane couldn’t find a pulse.
“Jane, Monica is dead!” Melissa exclaimed.
Melissa pointed at Jane, accusing her of pushing Monica into the lake, calling her a murderer. The relentless shouting irritated Jane. She knelt down to perform CPR on Monica.
Melissa continued her accusations, but Jane’s focus remained on her efforts to resuscitate Monica. She knew Monica’s situation was dire. If they waited for the ambulance, it might be too late.
If Monica had been rescued from the lake earlier, she might have had a better chance of survival. Now, her chances were slim due to the delay caused by Merlin and Melissa.
Jane could only do her best, even if it seemed like an uphill battle. CPR required strength and determination, and Jane was growing tired.
“Jane, do you need my help?” Osborn, squatting nearby, noticed the sweat on her forehead.
Jane shook her head. “No. Call 911 again. The ambulance should have arrived by now.”
Osborn made the call, but Melissa taunted Jane, accusing her of being a murderer and claiming to have witnessed her pushing Monica into the lake. Despite the noise, Jane continued to perform CPR.
However, her efforts were in vain. Monica remained unresponsive, and her pulse did not return.