Nicole parked her car and surveyed her surroundings, finding no one in sight. An uneasy sensation settled in her chest, prompting her to scrutinize the area.

Nicole eventually caught sight of a familiar figure. It was none other than Ethel.

Ethel had donned plain clothes, indicating her colleagues were Likely preparing to apprehend Brett.

Nicole glanced at Callie, who remained motionless. Breaking the silence, Nicole spoke softly. "We've arrived. Wouldn't you like to see your father?"

As Nicole's words hung in the air, a sudden commotion erupted nearby.

A man dressed in a black coat struggled against Ethel and her colleagues, who had pinned him to the ground.

Nicole's heart raced, her instincts kicked in as she swiftly halted Callie's advance. “Wait just a bit longer. You can't see your dad yet."

Motivated to protect Callie from the distress of witnessing her father's arrest, Nicole resolutely restrained Callie from leaving the vehicle.

Despite the potential implication of Brett in Wesson's downfall, Nicole recognized Brett's steadfast affection for Callie. Brett had consistently fulfilled the role of a devoted and caring father figure throughout Callie's upbringing.

Callie's biological mother had forsaken their family upon comprehending the severity of Callie's illness, unable to confront the demands of her care. Brett, left to raise his ailing daughter and elderly parents alone, steadfastly refused to relinquish hope in his daughter's recovery.

Nicole dreaded tarnishing this fatherly love in Callie's eyes.

Callie, composed and obedient, remained seated in the car.

Nicole's gaze remained fixed on the unfolding scene. Ethel conversed with the man on the ground and then helped him to his feet.

Before the man could turn, Callie interjected abruptly from behind, her voice barely audible. “Why are you all pursuing my father?"

Nicole was taken aback. She turned to face Callie.

"That man isn't my dad, Nicole." Callie finally acknowledged Nicole's identity. "And you'll never find him."

Nicole's eyes fell to the phone in Callie's hand, and realization dawned upon her. Callie's phone was active. Callie must have tipped off Brett about her pursuit, giving him ample time to disappear.

Ethel and her colleagues were left scratching their heads in confusion, but the man was taken into custody regardless.

Ethel called Nicole. "The man we just picked up isn't Brett. He's a car thief," she said, frustration clear in her voice.

Nicole vividly remembered the man's erratic behavior earlier, his hasty attempt to flee when he noticed the undercover officers approaching.