Before, Derek had exaggerated his weakness, only half-faking it. Sure, he was hurt, but not as much as he claimed. Even against a wounded woman, he maintained the upper hand.

The chokehold was tight, and Nicole couldn't use her full strength, but fortunately, she had recently peeled the skin from Derek's hand when yanking his hand out, revealing his vulnerability. She reached for Derek's injured hand, clawing into the torn flesh with all her might.

It was a gruesome scene when Nicole worsened Derek's injury.

“Ah! Damn it!" Derek howled in agony. The intense pain caused him to loosen his grip slightly.

Nicole seized the chance, putting extra pressure on Derek's injured hand. She dug deep and created five fresh wounds, revealing the bone beneath.

"Bitch! Let go of me!" Derek screamed and hastily released Nicole, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain.

Nicole gasped for air, her Lungs filling with freedom, and she gazed up at the sky, panting. After regaining some strength, she slowly rose and limped into the woods, vanishing from sight.

Derek steadied himself, retrieved his phone, and prepared to pursue Nicole.

He grabbed a stick from behind the car, clenched it in his fist, and yelled, "I'll find you, you little bitch! I'll kill you!"

He marched into the woods, declaring, "You think you can hide? No way! I'll definitely find you!"

With those words, he vanished into the forest.

Jarrod played the recording of Alec's phone call with Derek since he drove. He was aware that both Derek and Nicole had vanished after the car crash.

But after the crash, Derek had made a call to Alec, and Jarrod wanted to pick up any clues about their location by listening to it.

Alec's voice could be heard on the recording. “What's taking so long? Have you made it yet?"

Derek inhaled deeply before replying, “Not yet. I just had a near miss. But that crazy woman drove like a maniac, and I ended up hitting a tree..."

Alec hesitated and advised, "She might not be as strong as you, but she's smart. Be careful."

"I know... Damn it! I'll kill her today." Derek assumed Nicole had seen the tree ahead and intentionally swerved at the last minute, causing his car to crash into it.

Derek was no longer just following Alec's commands. He was driven by a murderous rage, intent on killing Nicole.

Alec didn't fully trust Derek, worried Derek would mishandle things.

He pondered for a moment before suggesting, “Forget it. You should leave the country now. I'll handle the rest."