Nico coughed, blood dribbling down the side of his mouth as he struggled to keep his head up. His entire body ached from Joaquin’s brutal blows, and his vision blurred from the pain. But through it all, one question burned in his mind.He lifted his gaze, staring at Joaquin as if seeing him for the first time."You... you’re in the Tiger Ranking, aren’t you?" Nico rasped, his voice weak but laced with desperate curiosity.Joaquin's brows furrowed. "What?""I know... I know the Dragon King," Nico continued, forcing out the words. "And only those in the Tiger Ranking can fight like you."Joaquin’s expression didn’t change. He had no interest in whatever nonsense Nico was spewing."You're lying." Joaquin’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tense air like a blade."I swear—""You think name-dropping some powerful figure will save you?" Joaquin took a slow, menacing step forward. "Nothing will."Panic flickered in Nico’s eyes as Joaquin loomed over him, his fists clenching at his sides.

The dim glow of the apartment’s warm lights cast long shadows on the walls as Joaquin poured himself a glass of water. His hands still trembled slightly, the adrenaline from earlier refusing to fully fade. Across from him, Serena sat on the couch, her arms crossed as she observed him in silence.Jasmine had already gone to bed, exhausted from everything that had happened. Joaquin had checked on her twice, making sure she was truly asleep before finally allowing himself to breathe.He leaned against the kitchen counter, running a hand down his face before exhaling a long sigh. “I still can’t believe it’s over,” he muttered.Serena arched a brow. “Is it?”Joaquin looked at her, his grip tightening around the glass. He knew what she meant. Rick’s words echoed in his head: Save the Dragon King.He had no idea how he could do it. They still yet have to find a cure for his illness. Serena tilted her head. “You look like you have a lot on your mind.”Joaquin let out a dry chuckle. “When

At the hospital, Joaquin went through his usual morning routine—checking on patients, reviewing charts, and making sure everything was in order. But no matter how much he tried to focus, his mind kept drifting back to what Jasmine had said at breakfast.Serena and him? That was ridiculous.She was his boss. His friend.And besides, she deserved someone a hell of a lot better than him.“Joaquin!”Andrea’s voice rang out as soon as he entered her room.“I’ve been waiting for you!” she huffed, crossing her arms. “I called you a dozen times after you left. What the hell did you get yourself into?”Joaquin exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, Ms. Johnson. It’s a long story. But everything’s fine now. My sister is safe, and I’m back at work.”Andrea pouted, her expression softening just a little. “I don’t care about that. I have time—tell me what happened. How’s Jasmine?”Joaquin hesitated. How does she know about Jasmine?“She’s doing better now,” he finally said, watching An

Outside the ICU, the Diaz family stood impatiently, their presence almost suffocating. The air around them was thick with tension, as if the entire hospital had bent to their will.Lorenzo’s wife, Isabella Diaz, was a formidable woman in her fifties, her elegant features sharp with worry. Dressed in a tailored dress and pearl earrings, she exuded an aura of power that made even seasoned doctors nervous. Beside her stood their eldest son, Miguel, his cold, calculating eyes surveying the medical staff like a predator searching for weakness.The Diaz family was infamous. The wealthiest in the next town over, their influence stretched beyond legal enterprises. Whispers of their connection to a powerful mafia organization sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to cross them.When Joaquin and Serena stepped out of the ICU to speak to them, Isabella immediately stormed forward, her heels clicking sharply against the tile.“What’s taking so long? My husband is dying in there!” she cr

Mikyla and Carlo moved swiftly through the hospital corridors, their hurried footsteps echoing against the sterile white floors. The air was thick with urgency, their minds racing with a single question—where the hell was Andrew?They reached Mr. Alvarez’s office in record time, barely pausing before pushing the door open.Mr. Alvarez looked up from his paperwork, startled by their abrupt entrance. He raised a single brow, clearly unimpressed by the intrusion.“What is the meaning of this?” he asked coolly, setting down his pen.Carlo spoke first. “Sir, Andrew is missing.”Mr. Alvarez’s gaze flickered between them. “Missing?” His voice was calm, but his eyes darkened. “What do you mean? He’s in his room, isn’t he?” His attention shifted to Mikyla.Mikyla stepped forward, arms crossed over her chest. “I last saw him yesterday, but after that, he just vanished. I’ve been trying to call him, but his phone is off.”Antonio leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together. “People d