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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
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 59: A Father's Warning
Joaquin opened his eyes to the dim glow of the bedside lamp, his body still sore but no longer weak. The dull ache in his shoulder reminded him of how close he had come to death, but he refused to dwell on it. He had been in worse situations before—physically, at least.He flexed his fingers, testing his movements. His muscles were stiff, but he could manage. He wasn’t about to sit around and wait until morning when he was more than capable of leaving now.With a grunt, he pushed himself upright, exhaling sharply as pain rippled through his body. He rolled his shoulders, testing the stitches Serena had placed with precision. They held. Good.His gaze flickered to the door, his jaw tightening. He needed to get out of here. He had already stayed longer than he should have.He swung his legs over the side of the bed and braced himself before standing. His body protested the movement, but he ignored it. He had been through worse.Then, as if the universe was intent on stalling his depart
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 60: The Eastern Peaks
Joaquin arrived at the Suarez mansion late in the afternoon, his bag slung over his shoulder.The butler let him in without a word, already expecting him.Inside, Rick was waiting in the lounge, a glass of whiskey in his hand, his expression unreadable."You’re finally back," Rick greeted him, eyeing him carefully. "What happened to you? I’ve been trying to call, but you weren’t answering."Joaquin tossed his bag onto the couch and sat across from him."A lot happened," he replied, his voice edged with exhaustion. "I got shot."Rick frowned. "Are you okay now?""Obviously." Joaquin waved him off. "What about Mr. Suarez?"Before Rick could answer, another man entered the lounge—Miguel Suarez.The last time Joaquin had seen him, he had looked frail, as if his body were struggling to keep up with life. But now? He looked stronger. Healthier. Almost like he had turned back time.Miguel smirked. "I’m good now. So good, I could fight again."Joaquin allowed himself a small smile. "That’s go
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 61: Recognition
The road leading to the Eastern Peaks was long and brutal.Dust clung to the SUV’s tires as they wound through desolate paths carved into the mountainside. The deeper they went, the rougher the terrain became, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and distant smoke from unseen fires.Joaquin sat in the front passenger seat, his body fully healed thanks to the abilities he had inherited. He just needed rest, and he was back to his usual self. Stronger. Sharper. Ready.His fingers tapped against his thigh, his mind calculating. This place reeked of danger. Even inside the car, he could feel the unspoken threats lurking in the shadows.Rick drove with one hand on the wheel, his other resting lazily on his lap, but his sharp eyes flicked to the rearview mirror every few minutes. On high alert.Miguel, sitting in the back, looked too calm.That unsettled Joaquin.The old man knew exactly what kind of place this was, yet there was no tension in his posture. No flicker of unease.Why wo
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 62: The Master
Joaquin had seen a lot in his life.But nothing—nothing—prepared him for what he had just witnessed.One moment, Master Iroh stood a few feet away, watching them with those ancient, knowing eyes. The next, he was standing right in front of him.Joaquin barely had time to process it.No sound. No shift in the air. No warning.It wasn’t teleportation—he knew what that looked like. This was something else. A movement so fast, so precise, that his brain simply couldn’t register it.His breath hitched. His muscles tensed.What the hell—?Master Iroh merely smiled, his wrinkled face crinkling like old parchment. "You’re new, boy. But I can already sense the power inside you."Joaquin’s jaw tightened. "You—"Miguel chuckled, stepping forward like this was the most natural thing in the world. "Still showing off, old man?"Iroh turned to him, eyes glinting with mischief. "It keeps me young."Miguel smirked. "That, and the tea, I’m guessing."Iroh huffed a quiet laugh and gestured toward a narr
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 63: The Tiger Ranking System
“Are you really sure about this, Young man?” Master Iroh asked again.Joaquin looked at him full of determination. “Yes.”Master Iroh smirked. “If you enter this mansion, there is no turning back anymore.”Joaquin exhaled sharply. He stared at the enormous gate in front of them. He clenched his fist.The Sandoval estate loomed ahead, a fortress of wealth and power built upon generations of control. But Joaquin wasn’t intimidated.He had seen opulence before and walked through halls dripping with luxury. But here, beneath the grandeur, was something rotten.He had seen opulence before and walked through halls drippin
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 64: The Second Skill
Joaquin was dreaming.Or at least, he thought he was.The world around him was hazy, shifting like smoke caught in the wind. He stood in the center of a massive arena—larger than anything he had ever seen—surrounded by roaring spectators whose faces blurred together in a sea of movement.At the heart of the battlefield stood a lone warrior.Joaquin knew him.Not personally, but through blood. Through history.His ancestor.The man stood tall, muscles corded like steel beneath a dark tunic. His stance was effortless yet unshakable, his eyes focused, determine
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Chapter 120: The Calm Before the Storm
Joaquin sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows on his knees, his head bowed.The weight of everything pressed down on him: Jasmine’s coma, George Beckham’s threats, the whispers of the Black Viper Society — and the fight looming just ahead.It wasn’t just a competition anymore. It hadn’t been for a long time.He felt the mattress shift, and then Serena’s hand slipped into his. Warm and steady. She didn’t say anything at first, and he was grateful for that.Right now, words felt too thin, too fragile to carry the storm inside him.But eventually, she spoke — soft and quiet, like a lifeline.“You’re scaring me.&
Chapter 119: Desperation and Preparation
Joaquin slammed the door behind him harder than he meant to.The sound echoed through the quiet house, but it didn’t help the frustration burning in his chest.He stood in the entryway, fists clenched at his sides, willing himself to breathe — slow and deep — but it wasn’t working. Not tonight.“Joaquin?” Serena’s voice floated from the kitchen, soft and cautious.A second later, she appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her eyes swept over him, taking in his tense posture, the storm written all over his face.“What happened?”He wanted to tell her everything. The fight with George.
Chapter 118: Shadows and Secrets
Joaquin stood near the heavy oak table in the private room, fists clenched at his sides, his pulse a steady drumbeat of anger.Across from him, George Beckham leaned back in his chair like a king on his throne — relaxed, smug, and entirely too pleased with himself.It took everything in Joaquin not to flip the table between them.“So, what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Lopez?” George started, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. He took a slow sip, his eyes fixed on Joaquin, full of quiet mockery.Joaquin tried to stay calm, but just seeing the man made his blood boil. For everything George had done — to Miguel, to Master Iroh, and now his sister — the urge to end him right here and now was nearly overwhelming.
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