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The Doctor's Reckoning 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
The Doctor's Reckoning 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
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 1: The Betrayal
Joaquin pushed open the door to his apartment as the exhaustion clung to him like a second skin. His day at Villareal Medical Hospital had been grueling, and all he wanted was a quiet evening with Mikyla. But before he could call out her name, faint voices filtered through the hallway—coming from the bedroom.He froze. The voices were muffled but unmistakable. A man and a woman, their tone teasing, urgent, and far too familiar. His chest tightened as realization dawned. Heart pounding, he moved closer, the words becoming clearer.“So, you think he’ll figure it out?” the man chuckled.“Joaquin?” Mikyla’s voice replied with a scoff. “He’s clueless. The guy’s too naive to suspect anything.”A cold chill swept through Joaquin’s body.‘What?!’“And the position?” the man asked.“There’s only one permanent slot,” Mikyla said smoothly. “Serena might back him, but your dad has the final say, right? That fool doesn’t stand a chance.”‘How can she do this to me?!’The man was Andrew Alvarez,
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 2: Awakening
Darkness enveloped Joaquin, but the silence was broken by a resonant, ancient voice echoing in his mind.“Descendant,” it said, calm yet commanding. “I am the ancestor of your family, and I have chosen you to inherit my legacy. The abilities I have mastered—medical expertise, martial arts, and more—are now yours. But heed my warning: use these gifts to uphold justice. Stray from the righteous path, and calamity will befall you.”Joaquin tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. He could only listen as the voice continued.“The gold ring you carry is my vessel. It holds the essence of my power. From now on, it is bound to your soul.”Suddenly, the ring appeared in his vision, glowing with an intense golden light. It transformed into the shape of a phoenix, its wings spreading wide before soaring toward him. Joaquin gasped as it pierced his chest, a burst of warmth flooding his body.The voice faded, leaving only silence.When Joaquin opened his eyes, he was on the cold bathroom fl
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 3: Breaking Point
As Joaquin stepped out of Serena’s office, the weight of his humiliation pressed on his chest. He clenched his fists, his mind replaying the scene. Andrew’s smug face, Mikyla’s betrayal, and Serena’s icy judgment all swirled in his thoughts. They had stripped him of everything—his position, his dignity, and even his hope.His steps quickened as he made his way to the elevator, needing space to think. But as the elevator doors opened, fate had other plans.Standing inside were Andrew and Mikyla, their conversation halting as they caught sight of him.“Oh, look who it is,” Andrew sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “The hospital’s newest orderly. How does it feel, Joaquin, to be demoted to cleaning up after us?”Mikyla smirked, her arms folded, her disdain was evident. “Maybe it suits him. He’s always been good at groveling.”Joaquin said nothing, stepping into the elevator and standing rigidly in the corner.“Quiet today, aren’t we?” Andrew leaned closer, his voice low but sha
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 4: A Chain of Consequences
“Someone call a doctor!” a nurse finally shouted, snapping everyone into action.Joaquin stood at the edge of the chaos, his face impassive but his heart thrumming with satisfaction. He couldn’t explain what had just happened, but deep down, he felt the power within him stirring.The chandelier had fallen perfectly, striking Andrew just as planned. It wasn’t a fatal blow—he had made sure of that.But it was enough to knock the arrogance out of him, if only for a moment.Andrew clutched his bleeding head, his cries of pain reverberating through the lobby. Mikyla knelt beside him, her hands fluttering uselessly as she tried to stem the blood with a piece of fabric torn from her coat.“This... this is your doing!” Andrew spat, glaring up at Joaquin, his voice trembling with both rage and pain.Joaquin tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “Me? I didn’t touch you. Maybe it’s divine retribution. Isn’t that what I warned you about?”“You liar!” Andrew shouted, his words falterin
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 5: A Silent Vow
When Joaquin returned home, the familiar scent of a home-cooked meal greeted him. His elder sister stood by the stove, humming softly as she ladled soup into bowls. For a moment, Joaquin felt a pang of guilt. She worked so hard to keep everything together, yet here he was, weighed down by betrayals and battles he hadn’t even begun to share.“You’re just in time,” she said, her voice warm. “Dinner’s ready!”At the dinner table, Joaquin forced himself to act normal. He focused on eating, avoiding eye contact with his sister.“Is something bothering you?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.Joaquin hesitated. “No, just tired from work.”She seemed unconvinced but didn’t press further. Instead, she brought up a topic that made Joaquin’s chest tighten.“How’s Mikyla? She hadn’t come to our place for a while.”Joaquin’s grip on his chopsticks tightened, but he managed to keep his voice steady. “She’s been busy with work.”His sister’s expression softened. “That’s understandable. I
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 6: A Scar That Won’t Heal
Joaquin’s breath caught in his chest as the woman leaned forward, her robe shifting just enough to make him glance away. Her confidence radiated like a challenge, and for a fleeting second, he felt the urge to match her energy. But no—he reminded himself—this was his job.“I’m here to check the wound,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. “Nothing else.”Her eyes narrowed, skepticism clear in her gaze. “Sure you are,” she said, leaning back with a smirk. “Go on then, but keep your hands professional, Joaquin.”Ignoring her sarcasm, he approached the bed, kneeling to inspect the injury on her leg. The stitches were tight, the wound deep. Even though it was healing, it was clear the damage had been severe.“What happened?” he asked, keeping his tone neutral.“Car accident,” she replied flatly. “Driver wasn’t paying attention. Surgery’s scheduled to minimize the scarring, but...” Her voice trailed off, her expression unreadable.Joaquin hesitated, unsure how to re
Latest Chapter
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
