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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 208: Watching
Joaquin remained seated for a few moments after James left, the words still ringing in his ears."Stay away from Serena.""I can always get what I want. Including that ring on your finger now."He clenched his jaw. That arrogance. That entitlement. It was everything he hated about people like James Villareal. The way they treated lives, relationships, and even emotions as property. Like everything could be bought or taken.And Serena? Engaged?His heart twisted painfully. He didn't want to believe it—not without hearing it from her directly. But the way James said it... so casually, so confidently... it was hard not to feel like something inside him was crumbling.But he wouldn’t panic. Not yet.Not until he looked Serena in the eyes and asked her himself.With a deep breath, he rose from his seat. He needed air. He needed clarity. And he couldn’t get that in this suffocating office with the memory of James’ smug smirk lingering in the air.He exited the room, his footsteps quick
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 209: Meeting the family
Serena’s grip tightened on the steering wheel.She had been parked near their house for a while now, but she still couldn’t bring herself to go inside.Her father had called her home. She didn’t want to go, but he threatened to send his bodyguards to fetch her if she refused.And she didn’t want to cause a scene at the hospital.Her father was still a governor, after all.Eventually, she had no choice. With a heavy sigh, she started the car again and pulled up in front of the gate. It opened automatically to let her in.She drove through the long driveway, her chest tightening the closer she got to the mansion.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 210: Accident
"What was that, Serena?! I didn’t raise you to be disrespectful!" Emilio shouted angrily at his daughter.They had just finished dinner with the Villareal mother and son, and it hadn't ended well.Eventually, Serena stood firm in her decision.She wouldn't marry James Villareal.Serena avoided looking at her father."You disappoint me, Serena!"Clarissa let out a long sigh and gently rubbed her husband's arm."Dear, please give Serena a break. Why don’t you listen to her?"Emilio frowned and glared at his wife."Don’t you dare defend her, Clarissa. I’m doing this for her future!""But we still should listen to what she wants," Clarissa insisted gently.Emilio groaned and turned his sharp gaze back to Serena."No. I know exactly why she’s acting like this. It’s because of that man, Joaquin Lopez, isn’t it?"Serena froze, her eyes snapping toward her father in shock.Emilio smirked at her reaction."Am I right?"Serena’s face grew serious."He has nothing to do with this, Dad," she said
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 211: Desperate Times
Pain.That was the first thing Serena felt when she opened her eyes.Everything was blurry.The sharp scent of metal filled her nose.It took a moment for her mind to catch up, but when it did, panic set in.She was trapped.The seatbelt dug into her skin, her hands trembling as she tried to move.A sharp, shooting pain shot up her side, forcing a whimper from her lips."J-Joaquin..." she whispered weakly, her voice almost inaudible.She tried to reach for her dashboard, searching for her phone, but it had been flung somewhere in the crash.Tears blurred her vision again—not just from fear, but from the overwhelming pain coursing through her body.Suddenly, she heard frantic footsteps outside.A man's voice shouting."There's someone in there! Call an ambulance!""She's alive! Hurry!"Serena closed her eyes, her mind floating somewhere between consciousness and darkness.All she could think about was Joaquin.Please... I have to see him. I have to tell him I'm okay.The car door was ya
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 212: Your Fault
Joaquin stumbled back from the force of Emilio’s punch, tasting the metallic tang of blood at the corner of his mouth.His breathing was heavy, his heart hammering wildly in his chest, but he didn’t fight back. He took it—he deserved it.In Emilio’s eyes, he was the reason Serena was lying unconscious, fighting for her life."Governor, please!" one of the nurses rushed to intervene, but Emilio shook her off, his eyes burning with unspoken rage."I knew you would only bring trouble!" Emilio shouted, his voice cracking. "She started disobeying me because of you! And now look at her!"Joaquin lowered his head, guilt swallowing him whole.He wanted to scream that he would have done anything to protect Serena—that he loved her more than anything—but none of that mattered now.The only thing that mattered was Serena’s life.Andrew stepped in and pulled Emilio back. "Sir, please calm down. Let us help Serena first."Reluctantly, Emilio allowed himself to be guided away, though his furious gla
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 213: Awaken
Joaquin sat outside the hospital, hunched over on a cold steel bench, staring blankly at the ground.The night air was cold, biting against his skin, but he hardly felt it.All he could think about was Serena—unconscious, fragile, fighting for her life just a few floors above him.And he couldn't be there.He couldn't even hold her hand.He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration, breathing hard through his nose.The bitterness in Emilio’s eyes haunted him, replaying over and over in his mind like a cruel, broken record."Stay away from my daughter."Joaquin squeezed his eyes shut, the pain cutting deeper than any wound he had ever received.He wanted to scream.He wanted to tear the world apart just to get back to her.But what could he do?He was powerless.The worst kind of powerless—the kind that felt like it was suffocating him from the inside out.Footsteps approached.He didn’t bother looking up.Not until he heard a familiar voice."Here."A paper cup appeared in fron
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 214: Who are you?
Joaquin froze at Serena’s question, shifting slightly in his seat."Who are you?" the young woman asked again.Joaquin gulped and tightened his grip on her hand."I-It’s me. Joaquin. Don’t you remember me?" he asked worriedly.Serena’s face remained blank, her eyes empty as she stared at him.In her gaze, she couldn’t recognize the man sitting in front of her.Meanwhile, Joaquin’s shoulders slowly began to sink, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.He was a doctor—he should have known something like this could happen to Serena."Y-You can’t remember me... right?" he asked sadly.Serena didn’t answer. She just kept looking at him, silent.A bitter smile tugged at Joaquin’s lips."It’s me... Joaquin Lopez. I’m your boyfriend, my love."Serena blinked several times, confusion flickering across her face.But before she could say anything, the door suddenly burst open."I knew this would happen! Didn’t Tito tell you you’re not allowed to be here?!" James Villareal snapped, marchin
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 215: A Warning
James stiffened at Joaquin’s words, but he forced a smug smile onto his face."What did you say? What did you just call me?"Joaquin smirked. He could already tell James didn’t like what he’d just heard."You know very well that if I wanted, I could take everything away from you, James Villareal."James clenched his fists."Who do you think you are, huh? You're just a doctor, Joaquin Lopez! What right do you have to say that to me, huh?!""Really?"Joaquin took a step closer."Let me remind you about the ring."James’s eyes slowly widened.Only then did he fully understand what Joaquin meant.His gaze sharpened dangerously."You know?"Joaquin straightened, his expression calm but cutting."At first, I didn’t. I kept wondering why a Villareal would suddenly take such an interest in a simple gold ring. You could have bought hundreds of them, but you still insisted on trying to get that one from me. Then you visited my sister’s hospital room after her accident. I kept asking myself why.
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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