The smoking car posed a looming threat, its potential explosion imminent, trapping Derek in a precarious situation.

“Miss, please," Derek implored, his desperation palpable. "I have a two-year-old daughter. She's just starting to speak, calling me 'dad.' I can't leave her behind-"

Understanding Nicole's motive, Derek realized she fought for custody because she cared for her own child. He was betting on Nicole getting softhearted when he mentioned his daughter.

In truth, Derek harbored no affection for his daughter nor any desire to take his wife and his incessantly crying daughter to leave with him.

Lacking parental experience, Derek remained indolent and self-centered, devoid of any sentimental connection to his daughter.

Yet, in this critical moment, his daughter became a bargaining chip.

Aware of the softening effect children had on women, Derek persisted in his pleas, his forlorn countenance compelling. He extolled the virtues of his daughter, emphasizing her charm and adorableness, weaving a convincing narrative of paternal devotion.

Initially skeptical, Nicole's skepticism dissolved upon hearing about the child, softening her heart.

Derek indeed had a two-year-old daughter. The thought of the child's pitiful fate if her father perished tugged at Nicole's compassion.

Despite Derek's flaws, his child remained innocent in her eyes, and Nicole couldn't bear the thought of another shattered family.

With determination, Nicole circled around to the car's opposite side, shattered the remaining window, and exerted her strength to dislodge Derek's trapped hand.

"Ouch! You. Derek intended to curse, but he swiftly changed his tune, cautioning, "Careful now. It's... It's painful."

Nicole's demeanor was less than sympathetic as she chided, "You think you can evade consequences for your misdeeds without enduring a little discomfort? Is that it?"

Furious but wary of provoking further ire, Derek could only mumble, “I understand, miss. You're being kind. Ah! Please, be gentle..."

Then, a resounding crack signaled Derek's liberation as Nicole finally freed his hand.

“Ah!" Derek cried out in agony.

Derek paid a steep price for freeing his hand as the skin on his hand was ripped off, exposing the raw, bloody flesh beneath. It was a horrifying sight.

“Ah! You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" Derek accused.

“No, I just had to pull your hand out," Nicole replied calmly. She could have been gentler, but she chose not to and used all her strength to yank him out instead.

People like Derek, though not deserving of death, should endure some hardship to understand that they had to pay for their misdeeds dearly, and to prevent them from further wrongdoings.