2025-03-30 01:10:04The tension in the courtroom was suffocating.
Joaquin's pulse hammered in his ears as he met Serena’s gaze. She stood near the back, hesitant, like she wasn’t sure whether she belonged there.
He wanted to go to her. Ask her why she hadn’t come sooner. Why she had let him rot in that damn cell, drowning in the weight of accusations he didn’t deserve.
But now wasn’t the time.
He turned away and focused on the trial.
Emilio Vargas, the best lawyer in the country, the personal lawyer of Villareals, had arrived just in time. Joaquin didn’t know how or why, but right now, none of that mattered.
He had someone fighting for him.
Vargas adjuste
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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 172: Who are you?
Joaquin sat in the quiet waiting room, his hands resting on his lap, fingers twitching with impatience.He wanted this trial to be over. He wanted to prove his innocence and go to Serena. He could see how heartbroken she was because of all of this—because of the accusations.He knew he hadn’t done anything wrong, but that didn’t change the fact that he was trapped in a vulnerable situation, unable to do anything.His gaze shifted to Emilio Vargas.Joaquin didn’t know much about him, other than the fact that he was one of the most sought-after lawyers in the country. People paid millions just to have him represent them.So why was he here, fighting for someone like Joaquin?Before the recess ended, Emilio sat down beside him, his sharp gaze unreadable."Alright, Mr. Lopez. Before we go any further, I need you to tell me everything. No omissions. No half-truths. If you want me to get you out of this, I need to know exactly what happened that night with Mikyla."Joaquin nodded, exhali
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 173: Confusion
Andrew paced back and forth in his office, gripping his phone tightly. His mind was racing, struggling to understand how Joaquin managed to get him—Emilio Vargas—as his lawyer.It didn’t make sense.Emilio Vargas wasn’t just some lawyer. He was the lawyer. The kind of man who only took cases for the most powerful people in the country.And, more importantly, he was exclusive to the Villareal family.Andrew clenched his jaw, his fingers tapping anxiously against the desk.This wasn’t just some coincidence.This was a problem.A big problem.If Emilio Vargas was defending Joaquin, it meant one of two things: either Joaquin had somehow pulled off a miracle, or—more terrifyingly—someone in the Villareal family was backing him.And if it was the second option…Andrew swallowed hard. That could change everything.He couldn’t let this case slip through his fingers.He couldn’t let Joaquin win.Not when everything was finall
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 174: It's mine!
James couldn’t shake off what Andrew had just reported to him.Emilio Vargas was helping Joaquin.But how?James had grown up knowing Emilio as their family’s personal lawyer. He knew most of his father’s secrets.He was the only loyal person that James could never take away from his father.James clenched his fists.Without wasting another second, he grabbed his phone and dialed Emilio’s number.The call barely rang before Emilio answered. “Yes, Mr. Villareal.”James narrowed his eyes. “Mr. Vargas. I hear you’re quite busy these days.”There was a brief pause on the other end before Emilio replied smoothly. “Well, I’m currently representing a client.”James scoffed. “I know exactly what you’re doing right now, Mr. Vargas.”His voice turned cold.He wasn’t playing anymore.Emilio remained silent for a moment, then chuckled. “And what is it that you want, Mr.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 175: Realization
Serena sat in her swivel chair, staring blankly at the documents on her desk.It had been hours since she left the courtroom and returned to the hospital, but she still couldn’t wrap her head around what was happening.Joaquin had been arrested for sexual harassment.Of course, he denied it. And at first, she believed him.But then James showed her the photos.And suddenly, doubt crept in.She knew James.He was kind and gentle—that was what she liked about him.But Mikyla was his ex-girlfriend. They had almost gotten engaged.Joaquin was her boyfriend now. And he had been nothing but genuine toward her.So how could he have done it?Her phone rang abruptly, making her jump.Sighing, she grabbed it from her desk and answered. “What do you want, Andrea?” she asked lazily.Her stepsister’s voice came through the line, sharp and worried. “What is going on? I ju
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 176: Seeking the truth
After speaking with Andrea, Serena couldn’t get her words out of her head. It wasn’t that she was afraid Andrea would actually try to take Joaquin back—it wasn’t about that. It was because, deep down, she knew Andrea was right.Joaquin would never do such a thing.In all the years she’d known him, she had never once seen him act in a way that contradicted the man she believed him to be. Even after all the times they’d been alone together in a private room, he had never disrespected her.“I should do something,” Serena whispered to herself.Without a second thought, she stood up, took off her white coat, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of her office.Minutes later, she was behind the wheel, driving straight to the hotel where Mikyla claimed Joaquin had tried to assault her.She needed to conduct her own investigation.Joaquin’s arrest for sexual harassment had left her in shock. While she wanted to believe his denials, the so-called evidence—especially the photos James had shown her—p
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 177: The Truth
Serena waited anxiously for Rick’s call. She stayed in her penthouse the whole time, trying her best to resist the urge to visit Joaquin. It was hard—but this was the only way she knew how to help him right now.She was sitting on the couch when her phone suddenly rang. She quickly picked it up from the table without even checking who it was.“Mr. Smith? Any update?” she asked immediately.“Huh? This is Jasmine, Serena.”Serena froze when she heard Jasmine’s voice. A glance at the screen confirmed it—it was Jasmine.She let out a small breath and forced herself to keep the conversation going.“Ahm, sorry, Jasmine. Is there a problem?” she asked.Jasmine sighed on the other end of the line.“Nothing serious. But… are you still coming back? The trial was put on hold and will resume tomorrow. Joaquin’s been asking for you.”Serena felt a sudden ache in her chest at those words. She knew Joaquin must be worried, especially after their last conversation. The guilt washed over her again—b
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 178: I Believe
Serena stood still for a moment before the iron gate, her fingers curling tightly around the strap of her bag. Her heart beat louder with every second that passed. The corridor was cold, sterile, and echoing with silence. The faint buzz of the overhead lights only made the tension worse."Are you ready, Ma'am?" the guard beside her asked, motioning to the door ahead.She gave a tight nod, her throat too tight to speak. She followed him quietly, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor until they reached a small visiting room enclosed with thick glass and a phone on either side. She could already see him through the glass—Joaquin.He was sitting there, head bowed, hands clasped together as if he’d been praying. His hair was a little disheveled, eyes dim, and his shoulders had never looked so heavy. He looked up the moment she stepped in, and for a second, he didn’t move. His expression was unreadable. Pain. Hope. Disbelief. All swirling in his gaze.Serena sat down slow
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 179: The Real Trial Begins
The courthouse buzzed with quiet tension. Reporters crowded the front entrance, eagerly waiting for any sign of what would happen to the accused.The trial of Joaquin Lopez had become the talk of the month—especially since this was his second time setting foot in that courtroom.Moments later, Joaquin arrived. The courtroom door opened, and he entered.He looked calm, flanked by two officers. His eyes swept across the room as he took his seat.Then his gaze landed on Serena.Serena smiled immediately the moment their eyes met. She was seated in the front row beside Jasmine.Relief washed over him the second he saw the two most important women in his life. And even more when
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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.
