Derek stifled the urge to lash out at Nicole as his left hand was so badly hurt that it was practically useless.

He realized Nicole was sharper than he had anticipated. She added to the severity of his injury to lessen his threat level. He cursed silently, yet he depended on Nicole to help him escape the wrecked car.

"Miss, please help me get out of here. It's too dangerous. Derek begged, looking at the smoking car."

Seeing the urgency, Nicole pushed past her own discomfort, wrenched the twisted car door open, and dragged Derek to safety.

Once outside, Derek collapsed on the ground, breathing hard. He resembled a stranded fish, mouth gaping wide, desperate for a breath of air.

Nicole picked up Derek's phone to call for help but realized it was locked and couldn't place an emergency call.

Usually, a cell phone could do this. Even if it wasn't unlocked, it could still call for help. It looked like Derek's phone was made just for him.

Nicole glanced at Derek, sprawled on the ground like a fish out of water. Letting her guard down a bit, she approached and asked, "What's the passcode?"

Derek weakly replied, “You can use facial recognition."

“Facial recognition?" Nicole took the phone and aimed it at Derek's face, but his features were covered with blood, and the phone failed to unlock.

Derek suggested, "Maybe if you get a bit closer, it will work."

Following his advice, Nicole crouched closer, aiming the phone at Derek's face while keeping an eye on his every move.

The phone unlocked as she moved closer.

Relieved, Nicole prepared to stand up and make a call, dividing her attention.

But just as she was about to rise, Derek, who had appeared weak on the ground, sprang up and wrapped his arm around Nicole's neck.

"Ah..." Derek's phone slipped from Nicole's grip and clattered to the ground as her face turned a mix of red and purple from the choking.

Derek's eyes burned with malice as he threatened, "I'll kill you, you little bitch! I could have vanished without a trace, but you just had to mess up my plans!"

Nicole belatedly realized she was dealing with a true menace. Derek was that cold-hearted danger. He felt no gratitude for her rescue in the critical moment. His thoughts were still on murder.

Nicole grasped such a person had no conscience and didn't care about his two-year-old daughter waiting at home. His previous weakness and tears were merely a performance to trick her.

She fought back, flailing with punches and kicks, but Derek only laughed, saying, "It's useless. I'll kill you today."