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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
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 180 : The Mastermind
After the trial, Mikyla rushed outside. She still couldn’t believe how everything had suddenly flipped against them.“Mikyla! Slow down!” Andrew called after her.Mikyla stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, clearly annoyed. They had taken the back exit of the courthouse, far from the eyes of the media, so there were barely any people around them.“What was that? I thought everything was under control?” she asked, frustration lacing her tone.Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Are you blaming me now? Weren’t you the one who planned this?”Mikyla’s mouth dropped open. “What? You were the one who wanted to go through with this, Andrew! I told you—I didn’t w
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 181: Truth Unleashed
Serena headed straight to the detention area to see Joaquin. Jasmine came with her, barely able to contain her excitement after the trial’s outcome.But just before entering the room, Serena stopped her. “Jasmine. I think we should talk first.”Jasmine paused and turned to her. “About what?”Serena hesitated, then gently pulled Jasmine toward the waiting chairs and motioned for her to sit. “There’s something I don’t quite understand. Do you know if Joaquin knows James Villareal?”
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 182: The Envelope
After Joaquin finished signing all the necessary paperwork for his release, he finally walked out a free man.He was immediately greeted by his sister and Serena.“Thank God you’re finally free!” Jasmine exclaimed joyfully as she hugged her brother tightly.“Of course. I’m innocent. And more importantly, you both never gave up on me,” Joaquin replied.“Because like you said, you’re innocent, Joaquin. And the truth always finds its way,” Serena added with a smile.Joaquin looked at Serena, stepped closer, and pulled her into a tight embrace.“I thought I was going to lose you because of all this.”
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Chapter 228: A Call for help
Joaquin’s shoulders sagged heavily as he walked into the house.Every step felt heavier than the last.He didn’t want to leave Serena’s side—not when her life was still hanging by a thread.But he knew he had no choice.He needed rest if he was going to save her.He needed strength.And most of all, he needed answers.Because he knew deep in his bones that the cure for Serena’s condition wouldn’t be found in any hospital.Not in any book.Not in any medicine known to man.This—whatever had poisoned Serena—was something far more ancient.As soon as he entered his room, he didn’t waste a second.He locked the door and bolted the windows, making sure no one could disturb him.The familiar smell of home barely registered in his nose.All he could think about was her.Her pale face.Her weakening heartbeat.Her soft voice called his name before she slipped into unconsciousness.He pushed the memory away and dropped to the floor, sitting cross-legged right in the center of the room.The air
Chapter 227: The Surgery
The doors slammed shut behind Joaquin.For a moment, the world outside disappeared—and it was just him, Serena, and the fight that was about to begin.He quickly scrubbed in, his hands trembling slightly—not from fear, but from the overwhelming weight of what was at stake.You can do this, he told himself, breathing deeply, steadying his hands.He approached Serena's operating table.She looked so fragile, lying there under the harsh surgical lights, her face pale and still, her breathing shallow and strained."You’re going to be okay, love," Joaquin whispered under his breath."I’ll bring you back. I promise."The nurses around him moved efficiently, handing him tools, monitoring Serena’s vitals.Joaquin gave quick, sharp instructions, falling into the rhythm of a surgeon—focused, precise, merciless against the enemy threatening his beloved.But the moment he made the first incision and peeled back the damaged tissue, his heart stopped.What he saw wasn't something any textbook had p
Chapter 226: Trust
The ambulance ride to Villareal Medical Hospital was a blur.Joaquin stayed by Serena’s side the entire time, holding her hand tightly, refusing to let go even for a second. The paramedics tried to assure him that she was stable, but for Joaquin, nothing was certain until he saw her open her eyes and smile again."Just a little more, love," he whispered under his breath. "Stay with me."When they arrived at VMH, the hospital staff, already alerted by Dr. Reyes, rushed Serena straight into the diagnostic wing. Joaquin followed closely behind, barking rapid instructions to the doctors like a man possessed."Full-body MRI. Prioritize her brain scan. Blood work. Everything. Move!"No one dared question him.Inside the emergency room, the machines buzzed to life.Joaquin watched through the glass as Serena was carefully prepped.Each beep from the monitors sent a spike of fear through his chest.A few minutes later, Dr. Ramirez, one of VMH’s senior neurologists, approached him."Dr. Lope
Chapter 225: Sick
"Serena!"Joaquin rushed to her side without wasting a second.He scooped her up carefully and checked her condition.She was unconscious—but there was still a pulse."Serena, wake up!" he pleaded, gently tapping her cheek."My daughter!"Emilio suddenly appeared, hurrying toward them."You! Let her go!" he shouted, his voice laced with fury.But Joaquin didn’t even flinch.His throat tightened when he realized how faint her pulse was.Without hesitation, he pulled her closer and tried to leave——but Emilio and several of his bodyguards blocked his path."Where do you think you’re going?! Are you trying to kidnap her in broad daylight?!" Emilio barked, disbelief clear in his voice."She’s weak! She needs to be taken to a hospital!" Joaquin shot back.James stepped between them, arms spread as if shielding Serena."No! If she’s really sick, I’ll be the one to take her!" he insisted.Joaquin tightened his hold on Serena, feeling the panic and rage brewing inside him."We don't have time
Chapter 224: The Wedding
Joaquin had just arrived home after the competition.He hadn’t even stepped fully inside when Jasmine rushed out to meet him."Joaquin! Thank goodness you're finally back!" Jasmine cried, her voice tight with worry.Her face was pale, anxious, her hands wringing the hem of her shirt.Joaquin’s brow furrowed immediately."What's wrong? Did something happen?"Jasmine hesitated, glancing away, struggling to find the words."It's Serena, Joaquin," she said quietly. "I’m afraid... we’re out of time."At the mention of Serena’s name, Joaquin’s heart started pounding violently against his chest. His instincts kicked in, his mind already racing."What? What happened? Is she okay?" he demanded.Jasmine dropped onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands for a moment before taking a long, shaky breath."Earlier today, Mikyla came here. I thought she was just here to cause trouble again, but no. She was frantic—panicking even—because she said she couldn't reach you. She told me... Serena’s wedd
Chapter 223: The Serpent
The air backstage was thick with sweat, blood, and tension.Joaquin moved with slow, deliberate steps, the cheers of the crowd still ringing in his ears. Every muscle in his body ached. His knuckles were split and bruised. His ribs burned with every breath. But none of that mattered. Not now.He hadn't forgotten.He couldn't forget.This fight was never just about the championship.It was about justice.It was about Master Iroh.Her sister, Jasmine.And George Beckham still had answers he hadn’t given.Miguel and Rick tried to steer him toward the locker rooms, but Joaquin shook them off with a tight jerk of his head.There was something he needed to do first."Give me a minute," he said, voice rough.Miguel frowned. "Joaquin—""I won't kill him," Joaquin said flatly. "Just talk."Miguel hesitated, then finally nodded. Rick crossed his arms, staying close but silent.George had just been hauled off the arena floor by two of his lackeys, limping heavily toward the private medical room
Chapter 222: The Winner
The morning of the final round arrived like a heavy storm.The city felt different—quieter, heavier—like the whole world was holding its breath.Joaquin woke before dawn, the restless energy inside him too much to ignoreHe barely touched his breakfast.He barely spoke a word.Rick came to pick him up, his usual casual grin replaced by a tense frown.Even Miguel, who rarely showed nerves, seemed heavier somehow, his presence more guarded.They knew.Everyone knew.This wasn’t just a fight.It was a war for everything Joaquin had left."You ready?" Rick asked as they drove toward the underground arena.Joaquin nodded once, his jaw tight.He didn’t trust himself to speak.Because the truth was—He wasn’t just ready.He was desperate.Desperate to win.Desperate to save Serena.Desperate to take back everything that had been stolen from them.The arena buzzed with anticipation.Spectators filled the stands, shouting and cheering as the final match of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition wa
Chapter 221: Begging
The next few days flew by in a blur.Joaquin trained harder than he ever had before.He knew he had to focus on his training first, before he could go back to Serena.He was still worried—God, he was always worried—but he had to set it aside for now.If he wanted to get her back, he needed to win. He needed to be strong enough.Under Miguel’s sharp and relentless supervision, Joaquin sparred daily with Rick, working on his speed, his reflexes, and his technique.He pushed himself past exhaustion, past the ache in his muscles, until the only thing left was pure willpower.And there was something else—something strange inside him.That strange energy, that force he barely understood, was growing.It seemed to answer to his emotions, flaring to life whenever he thought of Serena, whenever he imagined her lost and confused, married off to a man she didn't even love.The stronger his resolve became, the stronger the energy surged inside him, crackling just beneath the surface of his skin.
Chapter 220: Doubts
Tears welled up in Joaquin’s eyes as he stood there, helpless and heartbroken.He watched Serena, who looked at him with both confusion and wariness.He couldn't blame her.After all, the people around her must have filled her head with lies while she was vulnerable.With a heavy heart, Joaquin turned away, clenching his fists tightly at his sides.He took one last look at her, memorizing her face — the face he loved more than anything else — and silently made a vow to himself."I’ll bring you back to me," he whispered under his breath, so softly that even Serena couldn’t hear him.When he stepped out of the room, Mikyla was waiting for him in the hallway, arms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face."How did it go?" she asked quietly.Joaquin shook his head, struggling to steady his voice."She doesn't remember me," he said hoarsely. "They already brainwashed her. She thinks she's engaged to James."Mikyla pressed her lips into a thin line, guilt flickering across her featu
