Nicole didn't bother going after him. Although it was late, she was still in a residential area, and she wasn't afraid of him. However, chasing him might provoke him to react desperately.

Her first thought was to call Rhett, but it was very late. So, she texted Rhett to update him about the situation instead.

Surprisingly, Rhett was still up and replied, "I'll investigate this man."

Nicole got back into her car. Her next plan of action was to stake out Leighton's house and use Leighton as a breakthrough point. What she currently knew wasn't enough to prove that something was amiss with Jarrod's forensic results. She needed some solid evidence, like a confession.

However, Nicole knew it would be tough. Jarrod's men were always cautious. They probably bribed and threatened people to secure their loyalty. It was difficult to make someone confess the truth when they had been bought.

So, Nicole felt it was wiser to collect more proof. The private meetings between Derek and Leighton were suspicious in themselves. If she could build on this evidence, even if she didn't have enough to turn the tables completely, it could capture the media's attention and pressure the agency into retesting Jarrod.

With this in mind, Nicole started her car and had just rounded the corner when she spotted a sedan hurtling directly toward her.

The vehicle's high beams blinded Nicole, and she squinted to look past the glare. In just one second, the car was in front of hers, speeding wildly.

Alarm bells went off in Nicole's mind. This car seemed to be gunning for her.

Making a split-second decision, Nicole jerked the steering wheel hard, tilting her car to one side and narrowly avoiding a collision.

She could finally see clearly. It was a silver sedan. In fact, it was the same one Derek had raced off in earlier in a state of panic.

He had now returned to the scene.

A horrifying possibility crossed Nicole's mind. She quickly shifted gears to get away, but because the car was in such poor condition, it stalled after just a few inches.

Her car sat alone in the middle of the night on the secluded street.

Nicole heard the screeching sound of Derek's car accelerating, and a dazzling beam of white Light Lit up the darkness behind her.

Nicole peeked in the rearview mirror, only to be blinded by the intense light.

It was obvious that since Derek hadn't managed to crash into her with his speeding car, he had turned around to finish the job.

The engine's roar and the glaring light drove home the point that Derek was determined to ram into Nicole's car and wreck it completely.

Nicole couldn't figure out why Derek, who had just fled in a cold sweat, would suddenly take such a drastic and dangerous step. Where did he get the courage?

Nicole didn't have time to dwell on these questions. She frantically shifted gears again, pressing down hard on the accelerator.