"Go ahead... hit me!" Melvin spat out a mouthful of blood, his voice mumbled. "Ha... It's futile even if you kill me! If you do... I'll take the two of them with me to hell!"
Toph yelled, and the brothers shoved Melvin against the wall. Zuko's pale joints and trembling hands tightened around Melvin's neck. The inability to kill his enemy was tormenting him.
Just then, the interrogation room door swung open, allowing light to flood in. Several officers entered, urging them to stop.
Someone stood behind them.
Slowly, he walked forward, each step landing heavily on the ground. His presence weighed heavily on him.
Zuko released his grip on Melvin and turned to face the newcomer.
"Uncle Nicholas..."
Sorrow flickered across Nicholas' exhausted face, his sideburns now peppered with silver hair strands. Zuko remembered how Nicholas' hair had turned white overnight when he received the devastating news about Pammy 20 years ago. Although he gradually recovered, he was no longer the same majestic man.
He had lost his daughter once and regained her, only to lose her again. His hair had turned silver once more.
Nicholas stood before Melvin, silently watching him. Deep-seated resentment burned in his saddened eyes, overshadowed only by the pain of losing his daughter.
He was no longer the Nic who ruled the underworld or the powerful boss of Sol Entertainment. He was simply a father desperate to find his daughter.
Nicholas closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again. He unclenched his trembling fists.
And then, he knelt, his gaze fixed on Melvin.
"Uncle Nicholas..."
Zuko and Toph were taken aback, wanting to help him up, but Nicholas raised his hand, signaling them to stay back.
After a brief pause, he uttered four words, his voice quivering, "I am begging you..."
The brothers' eyes blazed with anger as they glared at Melvin, seething with resentment.
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