2025-03-28 01:00:05“You wouldn’t want to lose him, would you?” James threatened.
Jasmine’s lips twitched. She had lost count of how many times she had imagined knocking him down in her mind.If she weren’t hooked up to an IV, and if it weren’t a crime to assault someone, she would have attacked him already.“Don’t you dare, James!” she spat.But James only smirked. He placed his hands on the rail of her hospital bed and leaned in, his face mere inches from hers.“Try me, Jasmine,” he taunted. “Aren’t you even curious about what really happened to you?”Jasmine’s eyes widened.“Are you telling me…?”James let out a cold laugh, straightening up as he crossed his arms.“Damn you, James! You’re just like your mother! You’re still alive, but you’re already rotting in hell!”“Be careful with your accusations, Jasmine.” His tone was eerily calm. “You have no evidence.”“You just admitted it to me!”James only laughed harder, shaking his head.“You’re so gul
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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 152: Who are you?
The room fell into silence. Joaquin could feel the tension hanging in the air.Jasmine was catching her breath, while James Villareal’s face was flushed red, his own breathing heavy.Joaquin frowned, confused as to why James was in Jasmine’s hospital room.The last time he had asked his sister if she knew James, she had said no. But now, here they were—clearly in the middle of a heated conversation.“What’s going on here?” he asked again.Jasmine forced herself to calm down. Once she had steadied her breathing, she turned to Joaquin.“J-Joaquin. I thought you were still on duty? Are you done with your rounds?” she asked, before glancing at James. “C-Can you help him out? He said he was looking for a patient. I think Mister here is lost.”She shot James a pointed look, silently telling him to go along with her lie. She knew he wouldn’t want Joaquin to learn about their real connection, so he had no choice but to agree.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 153 : Worries
Joaquin stared at the night sky from the rooftop of the hospital building.He was never a smoker, but tonight, he found himself lighting a cigarette.The stress was getting to him. No matter how much he tried to push it aside, James Villareal kept invading his thoughts.What was his connection to Jasmine? Joaquin knew that James wasn’t just lost when he showed up in her hospital room.But no matter how many times he asked, Jasmine refused to talk. He was lucky that Rick had decided not to question her anymore.As he exhaled a cloud of smoke, his phone suddenly rang. He answered it.“Rick. Any problems?”“Nothing for now. We’re still investigating everything.”Joaquin sighed.“I just wanted to inform you about the Blue Ranking Competition. It’s happening, Joaquin. You need to get ready.”Joaquin tensed.The Blue Ranking Competition. He had been anticipating it since Master Iroh’s death.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 154 : Unexpected Invitation
Early in the morning, Joaquin handled Jasmine’s discharge papers. Finally, she was out of danger. Now, all she needed was proper rest.He was on his way back to Jasmine’s hospital room when someone suddenly blocked his path. He halted, his gaze narrowing at the man standing before him.Joaquin frowned as he took in the man’s appearance. He looked to be in his fifties, but his build was still strong, and his presence exuded authority."Dr. Joaquin Lopez?" the man addressed him.Joaquin studied him from head to toe."Yes. And you are?"The man smiled and extended a hand toward him."I’m Michael Storm. You can call me Michael."Joaquin hesitated but shook his hand anyway."Do I know you, Mr. Storm? Is there something I can help you with?"Michael maintained his smile. "No, sir. But I’m here to deliver a message."He reached into the pocket of his formal jacket and pulled out a business ca
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 155: The Meeting
After dropping Jasmine off, Joaquin returned to the hospital to return Serena’s car.He still had some work to finish and a few surgeries scheduled before he could call it a day.That evening, he asked Serena for help preparing for his meeting with Javier Villareal. She was visibly shocked when he mentioned it."Are you sure? Mr. Javier Villareal?" Serena asked again, as if she still couldn't believe it.Joaquin nodded as he focused on the road, driving Serena home."Yes. But it was his assistant who approached me earlier."Serena frowned. Even she was confused as to why Javier Villareal would want to meet with Joaquin."Do you know him?" she asked.Joaquin shook his head."Not personally. I only know him as my boss. The only time I saw him was at that party Andrea dragged me to."He let out a deep breath."I just don’t understand why I keep encountering them lately. First, h
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 156: The Truth
Joaquin was starting to grow impatient. He took out the business card Michael had given him and dialed the number.Stepping away from the entrance, he ignored the sharp glare of the guard who was still watching him like a hawk.The call barely rang before Michael answered."Hello? Who is this? How did you get this number?"Joaquin frowned and cleared his throat."Mr. Storm? This is Joaquin Lopez. We spoke earlier.""Dr. Lopez! Yes! Are you available tonight?"Joaquin glanced at the guard, who was still eyeing him suspiciously."Yeah. I’m already outside the restaurant.""Really? Okay. I’ll inform Mr. Villareal right away. Please go inside and wait for us there.""Yeah, about that—"But the call abruptly ended. Joaquin looked at his phone, rubbing the back of his head in frustration. Michael had already hung up.Letting out a deep sigh, he walked back toward the guard
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 157: A Fatherly Care
Joaquin swallowed hard as he finally came face-to-face with Javier Villareal.Just like before, that strange feeling didn’t go away. Mr. Javier Villareal felt oddly familiar.He cleared his throat.“Mr. Villareal.”“Dr. Lopez?” Javier greeted Joaquin with a smile, extending his hand.Joaquin hesitated for a moment before finally accepting the handshake.And the moment their palms met—his heart pounded even faster.‘Why am I feeling this?’ he thought.Javier’s smile deepened.<
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 158: Recognition
Joaquin and Javier continued their conversation, their initial tension gradually fading into something more neutral—perhaps even comfortable.Despite his earlier wariness, Joaquin found himself listening intently to Javier’s words.There was something about the man—something about the way he spoke, the weight behind his words—that made it difficult to look away.For the first time in a long while, Joaquin felt heard.He wasn’t sure if it was just the setting or the older man’s natural charisma, but the wariness in his chest loosened, even if just a little.Javier, on the other hand, remained composed, effortlessly leading the conversation, and steering it toward various topics.&
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 159: A Call
Joaquin couldn't wipe the small smile off his face as he walked toward the parking lot. Tonight had been… different.Unusual. But in a way, it had left him feeling lighter.Meeting Javier Villareal should have been intimidating, yet the man carried an oddly comforting presence.Despite his wealth and influence, Javier had treated him as an equal. There was something about the way he spoke—almost like a father advising his son.Still, Joaquin couldn't shake off the nagging curiosity that gnawed at the back of his mind.The moment Javier’s gaze landed on his ring, something changed.A flicker of recognition. A moment of hesitation.
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Chapter 203: New Master
The next morning came faster than expected.Joaquin was up before the sun, already dressed in his formal clothes for the inauguration. His body still ached, but the pain had dulled, manageable now.Miguel greeted him in the foyer, dressed in a tailored black suit.“You look like hell,” Miguel said with a grin.Joaquin chuckled. “Thanks.”“But don’t worry. That’s what makes you intimidating.” Miguel tossed him a sleek silver pin shaped like a tiger. “Wear that. It marks you as a finalist.”Joaquin clipped it onto his lapel. “So, where’s this person I’m supposed to meet?”
Chapter 202: Celebration
Joaquin stood frozen in the doorway.He blinked once, twice, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.There was Serena, smiling brightly despite the dark circles under her eyes.Beside her was Jasmine, holding one end of a long banner that read “Congratulations, Joaquin!” in bold, silver letters.The cake Serena was holding wobbled slightly in her hands, the tiny candle on top flickering from the breeze of the open door.Joaquin’s heart thudded in his chest, a strange warmth blooming in the center of his ribcage. He hadn’t realized just how much he needed this. Needed her.“Surprise!
Chapter 201: Aftermath
Joaquin didn’t know how long he had been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling of the room where he was resting.His match had ended a while ago, but he still hadn’t stepped out.His body was still in pain. His wounds stung.But he simply endured it all.What occupied his mind more was Lina.The way she took his ring—and the way her appearance changed.That’s when he remembered the files Rick once showed him. And only now did it truly hit him: Lina was one of the Black Viper Society’s experiments.That explained her sudden transformation, how she became… almost feline.
Chapter 200: The Ring’s Reckoning
The sting of blood in his mouth was sharp.Metallic.Familiar.But it was the pressure in his gut—the searing pain of Lina's clawed hand still warm from piercing him—that blurred the edges of Joaquin’s vision.He couldn’t move.Not right away.His body was frozen from shock, heat and cold dancing across his spine like a cruel joke.He gasped for air, lips trembling, eyes barely holding onto the sight of Lina’s triumphant smirk.“Thanks for surrendering the ring to me,” she whispered again, her voice soaked in vict
Chapter 199: The Final battle 1
The arena was silent.Joaquin couldn’t deny the nerves coiling in his stomach as he stood at the edge, preparing for his final match.He had triumphed in his last two battles. But even before this one began, he knew—it was going to be hard.Not because his opponent was powerful.But because once again, he would be facing her—Lina.The same girl who had stolen his ring.To this day, she hadn’t given him a single reason why.He used to think he didn’t want to know. But when he saw her fight, he realized—there was som
Chapter 198: Shadows and Sparks
After his earlier match, Joaquin chose to stay in the room for a while longer, waiting for the call to his next battle.Outside, the muffled cheers of the crowd echoed through the concrete walls—constant, rhythmic waves of energy that reminded him: the war was far from over.He shut his eyes for a moment and let the ambient noise fade into the background.Then came a soft knock.A young attendant peeked in, eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and nerves. “Mr. Lopez, the next round’s schedule has been posted. Your match is in two hours.”Joaquin gave a small nod, offering a faint but polite smile. “Thank you.”As the door clicked shut, he stoo
Chapter 197: The First Clash
Joaquin woke up early the next day, readying himself for his first match. Stage Two of the competition had officially begun.He was already inside the waiting room, silently preparing as he waited for his turn. From where he sat, he could hear the roar of the crowd echoing from the arena. There were a few matches scheduled before his, which gave him time—but not peace.The arena was vast—an expanse of polished concrete with high ceilings that amplified every sound. Bright lights bathed the place in a sterile glow, casting long shadows that danced with every movement. Rows upon rows of seats circled the central platform, where the fighters for Stage Two were beginning to prove themselv
Chapter 196: The Last 50
Joaquin adjusted the collar of his coat as he stood outside the grand venue, staring up at the towering building before him. The banquet for the fifty remaining contenders of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition was being held at a luxury estate—one reserved for elite sponsors and facilitators. Nothing about this place felt casual. Every inch screamed prestige, wealth, and quiet pressure.He wasn’t nervous. But he wasn’t calm, either.For the past two days, he had trained relentlessly at the Suarez estate—throwing punches, dodging blows, simulating combat over and over again with Rick and Cedrick. He barely slept. Barely ate. Not because of the competition—
Chapter 195: A Celebration
After the announcement, Joaquin returned to the Suarez estate. He decided to spend the next three days there to prepare for the upcoming stage. He was already thinking of a plan—how to get his ring back.“Well, congratulations to you, Joaquin! I knew you'd make it,” Miguel said, beaming. He sounded like a proud father celebrating his son’s success.He raised his wine glass.Joaquin gave a small smile and toasted with him.As a celebration of his victory, Miguel had prepared a dinner.Rick and Cedrick were also there to join them.Miguel sat at the center of the long dining table. His son sat to his right, while Joaquin sat to his left.
