2025-02-16 01:00:54The gala was exactly what Joaquin expected—grand, extravagant, and full of people who cared more about appearances than anything else.
Towering chandeliers bathed the ballroom in a golden glow, and the polished marble floor reflected the light like a mirror. Waiters moved effortlessly between guests, carrying trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres, while a classical quartet played in the background, setting the mood for the evening.
Joaquin exhaled as he adjusted the stiff collar of his suit.
It was his first time attending an event like this. If it weren’t for Andrea practically dragging him here, he wouldn’t have come at all.
Andrea, on the other hand, fit in effortlessly.
Dressed in a sleek, off-the-
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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 51: The Slap
"But I hope you won’t poison him too."The words slithered out of Marion’s mouth like venom, coated in amusement but laced with something far more insidious.A hush fell between the three of them, tension crackling in the air like a brewing storm.Joaquin wasn’t stupid—he could hear the taunt, the insinuation, the arrogance dripping from every syllable. But what unsettled him more was the way Andrea stood frozen beside him, her nails digging into his arm as if she was holding herself back from doing something reckless.Then, to his surprise, Andrea smirked.“Why would I?” she said coolly. “You are not him.”Marion’s expression
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 52: Apologize!
The air was tense as the guards closed in, their polished shoes tapping against the marble floor in perfect unison. Guests watched with wide eyes, whispers rippling through the crowd like wildfire.Marion stood tall, fixing his suit as if he hadn’t just been punched in the face. His lips were still stained with blood, but the smirk never left. He turned toward the guards, his voice smooth and authoritative.“You’ll pay now!”Joaquin didn’t move. He didn’t even flinch.Two guards stepped forward, prepared to seize him, but Joaquin spoke before they could lay a hand on him.“Tell him to apologize first,” Joaquin warned. The guards hesitated, looking at each other for instruction.Marion let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Excuse me? You want me to what?” Joaquin straightened his posture, locking eyes with him. “You heard me. Apologize to Andrea.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, sharp enough to cut through the tension.Andrea’s fingers twitched at her side as she wa
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 53: Unexplained Feelings
Marion’s body slumped against the floor, his once-pristine suit now wrinkled and stained with blood. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his face barely recognizable—swollen, bruised, his lower lip split from one of Joaquin’s punches.Yet Joaquin didn’t stop.His knuckles were raw, but he didn’t feel the pain. Not yet.“Joaquin, stop!”Andrea rushed to him, her hands grabbing at his arm, but her voice barely registered in his ears.His vision was locked onto Marion—the pathetic excuse of a man who had spent years thinking he was untouchable. Joaquin had seen enough of men like him before. Arrogant. Cruel. Believing their status shielded them from consequences.Joaquin’s fist tightened again. He was going to land another blow—one final punch to make sure Marion understood.“Joaquin! You’ll kill him!” Andrea pleaded, her grip tightening on his arm.The adrenaline in his veins roared, drowning out everything else.Then another voice cut through the chaos.“What is happening here?”It wasn
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 54: Come Home
Joaquin gripped the steering wheel, his mind replaying Serena’s words over and over again."I’m disappointed, Mr. Lopez."That single sentence clung to his thoughts like a stubborn stain, refusing to fade even as he drove through the dimly lit streets. The city lights blurred in his peripheral vision, but all he could see was the way she had looked at him—unreadable, cold.Disappointed.A sharp exhale left his lips. He shouldn’t care. He didn’t owe Serena an explanation. And yet, here he was, chest tight, thoughts restless.Beside him, Andrea sat with her legs crossed, head tilted back against the seat. She tapped her nails against her knee before glancing at him.“You’ve been quiet,” she mused. “Are you sulking over Ms. Del Mar? I saw you talking to her before we left.”Joaquin’s jaw tightened, his eyes fixed on the road. “I’m just driving.”Andrea smirked. “You know, you don’t have to pretend you don’t care. It’s obvious.”He didn’t answer.Andrea sighed, shaking her head. “That wom
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 55: The Governor's Daughter
The moment Andrea stepped into the grand mansion, a heavy wave of familiarity washed over her. The polished marble floors, the towering chandeliers, the scent of expensive cologne lingering in the air—it was all the same.Nothing had changed in the past five years.And yet, it felt different.Colder.She swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to keep her chin high as she strode forward. She wouldn’t let them see her weakness.At the center of the vast foyer stood her father—Emilio Johnson, the ever-imposing governor. Dressed in his signature dark suit, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, his sharp eyes locked onto her the moment she entered.His expression was unreadable, but Andrea could already tell what was coming.Trouble."You finally decided to come home," Emilio said, his voice calm, but there was a weight to it—a warning.Andrea met his gaze without flinching. "I didn’t decide anything. Your men dragged me here!"His lips pressed into a thin line. "You shouldn’t
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 56: The Half-sisters
"Joaquin!"Andrea's body moved before she could think.She ran.Her bare feet slapped against the cold marble floor as she rushed down the steps and out into the courtyard. The world blurred at the edges, but her eyes stayed locked on him.Joaquin.He knelt on the ground, his body slumped forward, but he didn’t fall. Blood seeped from his shoulder, staining his once-crisp shirt. His hands were bound behind his back, and his face—bruised, swollen—twisted in pain.Malvar stood above him, gun still raised.Her father was there too, his face void of any emotion, his suit pristine as if he hadn’t just ordered the execution of a man.Before Andrea could reach Joaquin, a guard stepped forward and grabbed her, stopping her in her tracks."Let me go! Stop this, Dad!" she screamed, her voice cracking.Joaquin groaned weakly, lifting his head slightly. His bloodshot eyes met hers."M-Ms. Johnson…" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.Andrea’s chest tightened. "Oh my God, Joaquin! You're
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 57: It's Your Fault!
Serena's cold sweat dripped from her forehead, but her hands never faltered. Every movement was precise, swift, and sure. She hadn't even changed out of her dress before she began operating on Joaquin—there simply wasn’t time.Her mind was racing, but her focus remained on him. The bullet wounds weren’t fatal, but they were still dangerous. It infuriated her that Joaquin was in this state because of Andrea. The moment she saw them together, she knew—Andrea would bring nothing but trouble to Joaquin. She always did.Serena exhaled sharply as she pulled out the last bullet lodged in his left arm. Malvar could have killed him, but he hadn't. Maybe, deep down, he still respected Joaquin.The moment she finished suturing his wounds, she let out a tired sigh. Joaquin's vitals were stable. He was safe—for now.Serena stepped back, exhaustion settling into her bones. She peeled off her gloves, washed her hands, and finally made her way out of the clinic.And the first person she saw?Andrea.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 58: Waking up
He tried to move, but his body felt heavy, and unresponsive. The last thing he remembered was pain—searing, unbearable pain—and the sound of Andrea’s voice calling his name.Then… nothing.Joaquin's eyelids fluttered, and with great effort, he pried them open.Blurry shapes swam in his vision, and the dim light above him burned his retinas. A sharp pulse of pain throbbed through his body, making him inhale sharply. His throat was dry, his limbs ached, and every breath felt like a struggle.But he was alive.Slowly, his vision cleared, and the first thing he saw was a woman sitting in a chair beside his bed, her arms crossed over her chest. She was watching him with an unreadable expression.Serena.Joaquin blinked, his mind sluggishly piecing things together. Why was she here? And where was here? He took in his surroundings—a bedroom, large and elegantly furnished, yet unfamiliar. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the dull ache in his shoulder reminded him of th
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Chapter 117: Blue Ranking Party
Joaquin couldn’t stop smiling.It was a rare feeling — happiness. Real happiness. The kind that wrapped around his heart and made him feel lighter, like the weight he had been carrying for so long wasn’t quite so heavy anymore.And it was because of Serena.The fact that they were finally, officially together made everything brighter. The fear and desperation still lingered — his sister was still lying unconscious in a hospital bed, her soul lost somewhere he couldn’t reach — but now, at least, there was hope.He wasn’t alone in this fight.But before he could let himself get lost in the comfort of his new relationship, there was still so much to do. Jasmine’s life was still hanging by a thread, and Joaquin knew that if he didn’t act fast, he might lose her forever.And that? That wasn’t an option.“Here,” Rick said, pulling Joaquin from his thoughts. He handed over a sleek black envelope with an embossed silver crest on the front. “Your invitation to the Blue Ranking Gala. This is yo
Chapter 116: The Kiss
After talking with Miguel Suarez, Joaquin decided to go back to the hospital first. He went directly to Jasmine’s room — and she was still unconscious.Her aura was faint. Her body might still be breathing, but it was weak — too weak.Joaquin knew that if he didn’t bring her soul back soon, her body would start to fall apart.“I’ll get you back, Jasmine. I promise. Just hold on for me, please,” he whispered, his voice trembling with desperation.The door to Jasmine’s room suddenly opened, and Serena walked in. She stopped in her tracks, clearly surprised to see Joaquin sitting by his sister’s bedside.“Joaquin? I didn’t know you were here,” she said softl
Chapter 115: Finding the Truth
Joaquin didn’t waste a second. When he was sure Jasmine was stable and in good hands, he left the hospital and drove straight to Mr. Suarez’s estate. His mind was a storm — thoughts of his sister, the terrifying vision of her soul being dragged away by that dark smoke, and the name George Beckham kept colliding inside his head.He needed answers. And there was only one place to get them.The drive felt endless, but Rick was already waiting for him by the entrance when he finally arrived at the grand estate.Rick’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw him. “Joaquin? What are you doing here? Is your sister awake already?” he asked, the questions spilling out one after the other.Joaquin shook his head. “Not yet. But I need your help. Where’s Mr. Suarez?”Rick’s forehead creased in concern. “He’s in his office. Why? What’s going on?”“I need to see him. Now.”Rick hesitated for a second, clearly alarmed by the tension radiating off Joaquin — but he didn’t push for answers. “Follow me,” h
Chapter 114: Dark Entity
Joaquin first took care of the paperwork for Jasmine’s stay at the hospital and went home to gather some of her things.He’d also found out the truth about what had happened to his sister. According to the police, a car had hit her just as she was about to cross the street. The driver had been speeding even though the light was green for pedestrians.That’s why Joaquin was sure this wasn’t an accident — it was intentional.Once he had prepared Jasmine’s hospital room, he went to the recovery room to check on her condition. Thankfully, his status as a doctor allowed him access.Joaquin’s heart nearly broke when he saw his sister’s state. Her leg was wrapped in bandages, her face was swollen, and her body was covered in bruis
Chapter 113: Anomaly
“Let me remind you again — the Blue Tiger competition is different from the First Ranking, Joaquin. You can’t let your emotions cloud your judgment,” Rick warned.Joaquin’s eyes darkened even more. “I know. And I understand that, Rick. I know what I need to do.”“Fine. Then, you need to start your training right away. If you want to fight George, you need to be ready. Don’t think that just because he’s only in the Blue Ranking, he’s weak. He’s stayed there for a reason.”Joaquin frowned. “What do you mean by that?”“There’s something strange happening with the Tiger Competition. We don’t know exactly what it is yet. But George has held that position for three
Chapter 112: Her Secret
Joaquin couldn’t keep still as he waited in the hospital’s waiting area. He kept standing up and sitting down every few minutes, his nerves getting the best of him.Jasmine had to survive. He wouldn’t be able to handle it if he lost his sister.He sat down again, his leg bouncing restlessly as he kept glancing toward the operating room doors. The light above the door was still on — a sign that the surgery was still ongoing. Just as he was about to sink deeper into his anxiety, his phone rang.He quickly pulled it out of his pocket, ready to silence it, but stopped when he saw Rick’s name on the screen. Without hesitation, he answered."Joaquin," Rick’s voice came through even before Joaquin could say anything. "Where are you? I’m at the hospital."Joaquin’s eyes flicked back toward the operating room. The light was still glowing, the doors still shut tight."Near the operating room. Why?""Are you busy? Come to the lobby. We need to talk — it’s important," Rick said, his voice sharp a
Chapter 111: Save her
“N-No…”Joaquin’s voice trembled as his eyes stayed locked on Jasmine’s unmoving body on the stretcher.“Joaquin,” Serena’s worried voice broke through the haze of shock.She quickly approached the stretcher, her hands moving with practiced urgency as she assessed Jasmine’s injuries. There were scrapes and bruises all over her arms and body, but what made Serena’s breath catch was the deep, gaping wound on Jasmine’s left leg — so severe the bone was nearly visible. Blood continued to seep from a gash on her head, staining the pristine white sheets beneath her.“Joaquin! Don’t just stand there!” Serena’s sharp command finally pulled him out of his daze.Joaquin blinked rapidly, his hands shaking as he reached for his sister, his mind barely able to process what he was seeing.“W-We need to—”“Get it together, Joaquin!” Serena snapped. “Damn it! This won’t work if you freeze up! Ready the surgery room!” she barked at the staff.Joaquin had treated countless patients before — he’d seen a
Chapter 110: A threat
Andrew stormed down the pristine, marble-floored hallway of Villareal Medical Hospital, his footsteps echoing with fury. His face was still red from the humiliation of the press conference, his mind spinning with disbelief. How had things turned around so quickly? How had Joaquin managed to clear his name so easily?He didn’t bother knocking when he reached James Villareal’s office — he simply pushed the door open and marched inside.“Mr. Villareal, did you see what happened?!” he burst out, slamming the door behind him.James Villareal sat calmly behind his enormous glass desk, flipping through documents as if nothing were wrong. The sleek, modern office was a stark contrast to Andrew’s chaotic energy, but James didn’t even glance up.Andrew’s frustration boiled over. “Joaquin just made fools of us! The entire hospital believes him now — they cleared his name! How the hell did this happen?”James finally set his papers down, his dark eyes lifting to meet Andrew’s furious gaze. Bu
Chapter 109: Finally
The whispers had already started by the time Andrew stepped into the hospital’s main lobby. Nurses gathered in small clusters, their heads bent together, their conversations urgent and hushed. The air was charged with tension, and there was only one reason for it.Joaquin Lopez was back.Andrew’s lips curled into a sneer. He moved through the crowd like a shark scenting blood, his eyes scanning the familiar faces until he spotted his target.There he was — Joaquin, standing near the nurses’ station, his posture straight and his expression calm. Too calm, considering everything that had happened. It made Andrew’s blood boil. After everything — the scandal, the suspension, the accusations — Joaquin still had the audacity to show his face here?Andrew didn’t wait. He stalked toward him, his voice loud enough to draw attention. “Well, well, look who decided to crawl back,” he sneered. “I didn’t think you’d have the guts to show your face around here, Lopez.”Joaquin turned slowly, his