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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 84: Poison
Joaquin stood still, his eyes fixed on the three men lying unconscious in their hospital beds. They were lined up in a neat row, their chests rising and falling with shallow, labored breaths. But what caught his attention—what made his blood run cold—was the dark, twisted veins snaking under their skin. Through his Third Eye, he could clearly see the blackened blood flowing through their bodies, sluggish and poisonous.It wasn’t just Miguel.The sickness hadn’t been an isolated case.Whoever—or whatever—was behind this wasn’t targeting just one person. This was spreading. Fast.Joaquin clenched his fists, the weight of the realization settling heavily on his shoulders. He needed to be ready for whatever came next.“What’s wrong, Joaquin?” Serena’s voice broke through his thoughts. Her tone was filled with concern, her eyes watching him closely.Joaquin shook his head quickly. “Nothing.”But it was far from nothing. He couldn’t tell Serena what he was seeing—he knew she wouldn’t unders
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 85: VIP Patient 2
After successfully treating the three patients, Joaquin wasted no time. Once their condition stabilized, he ordered their transfer to the operating room for the necessary skin graft procedures to heal their burn injuries. He was just about to prepare for surgery when Serena burst into the room, her face lined with urgency.“Joaquin! We need you—there’s a VIP patient,” she said breathlessly.Joaquin frowned. “Serena, I’m already scheduled for surgery. Those three—”“I know. But it’s the senator’s daughter,” Serena cut in, her tone low but pointed. “He’s demanding we prioritize her treatment.”Joaquin’s jaw tightened. He hated this kind of political pressure. Every patient deserved equal care, but it wasn’t the first time someone’s wealth and influence pushed them to the front of the line.Still, the pleading in Serena’s eyes softened his resistance. He exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. “Fine. Let’s see what we’re dealing with. But let me ask another doctor to take care of
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 86: Taken over
The exhaustion weighed heavily on Joaquin’s shoulders as the afternoon sun dipped low on the horizon. His body ached from the sheer number of surgeries he had performed—ten patients in a single day. His hands, steady and precise just hours ago, now trembled from overuse, and his mind screamed for rest.As he pushed open the door to the doctors’ lounge, the idea of sinking into one of the worn-out couches felt like salvation. But just as he was about to take that first step toward comfort, the hospital’s intercom crackled to life.“Code Blue! Code Blue!”The words struck like lightning. Joaquin’s exhaustion evaporated instantly. Adrenaline surged through his veins as he grabbed his white coat, slinging it over his shoulders while he bolted out the door. The hallway was already a blur of frantic nurses and doctors rushing toward the ICU.He nearly collided with Serena, who appeared equally panicked, her eyes wide with fear.“What’s going on?” he asked breathlessly.“It’s the senato
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 87: Successful
Joaquin didn’t waste a second. As soon as the meeting ended, he stormed toward the ICU, his mind already piecing together a plan. He wasn’t about to let someone die just because of someone else’s arrogance—and certainly not because Andrew refused to admit a mistake.The patient’s condition had stabilized for now, but Joaquin knew that wouldn’t last long. He scanned her vitals and medical records again, confirming his earlier suspicions. The incorrect dosage was taking its toll on her body, and if they didn’t act fast, things would spiral out of control.“We need to prep for surgery,” he told the attending nurse. “Now.”“D-Doctor Joaquin—” the nurse stammered, glancing at the chart. “But Dr. Andrew—”“I don’t care,” Joaquin cut her off, his voice steely. “This girl doesn’t have time for politics. Get the OR ready.”The nurse hesitated for only a moment before nodding and hurrying off. Joaquin turned to Serena, who had followed him.“Are you sure about this?” she asked softly.“Absol
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 88: The Ring
Joaquin stood in front of James Villareal’s office, taking a deep breath before knocking. He wasn’t sure what this meeting was about, but after the chaos of the past few days, he had a feeling it wouldn’t just be a simple conversation.“Come in,” came the deep voice from inside.Joaquin pushed the door open and immediately spotted Senator De Vera sitting across from James. The senator stood as soon as he saw Joaquin, a warm, grateful smile spreading across his face.“Doctor Joaquin!” the senator greeted, stepping forward and extending his hand. Joaquin shook it politely, though he was still wary. “I’ve been wanting to meet the man who saved my daughter’s life. Thank you—thank you so much!”“I was just doing my job, sir,” Joaquin replied evenly, keeping his tone respectful.“Nonsense!” the senator said, his booming voice filling the room. “What you did was beyond your duty. You acted quickly and decisively when others hesitated—and because of that, my daughter is alive.”Joaquin dipp
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 89: Danger
Andrew paced back and forth in his office, his footsteps heavy and sharp against the marble floor. His face was twisted with frustration, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. Every time he thought about what had happened, his anger flared hotter. He should have been the one getting praised. He should have been the one shaking the senator’s hand and receiving his gratitude — not Joaquin.But no. Joaquin always had to swoop in like some self-righteous hero and steal the spotlight.“Andrew, please,” Mikyla’s voice broke through his thoughts, soft and trembling. She stood near his desk, watching him with worried eyes. “Calm down. This isn’t helping—”“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Andrew’s voice cracked like a whip, and Mikyla flinched. “Do you even understand what’s happening here? I was supposed to be the one saving the senator’s daughter! I was the one assigned to her case!”“I know—”“But no!” he cut her off, his eyes blazing. “Joaquin had to interfere. Again. And now he
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 90: The Illegitimate Son
James Villareal sat in his office, his fingers drumming restlessly against the polished mahogany desk. He was a man who prided himself on his composure — on his ability to keep a cool head no matter the situation. But right now, his mind was anything but calm.He couldn’t stop thinking about that ring.The moment he saw it on Joaquin’s hand, his heart had nearly stopped. He recognized it instantly — a distinctive, ornate piece that had been missing for years.The ring his father had once worn.The ring that had vanished right around the time rumors of his father’s affair had begun to surface.James’s jaw tightened. He needed answers.And he couldn’t believe he’d seen it on the hand of someone like Joaquin. A stranger. Someone beneath him.Without wasting another moment, he reached for his phone and dialed. The line barely rang twice before his mother answered.“James, my son! How are you, my dear? Do you need anything?” Her voice was warm, but there was always an undercurrent of sharp
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 91: Happy Memories
Joaquin stood by the hospital entrance, leaning casually against one of the pillars, but his eyes kept flicking toward the sliding glass doors. The anticipation buzzing through him was impossible to ignore. It was ridiculous — they’d spent so much time together at the hospital, working side by side in high-pressure situations. But waiting to take Serena out felt like an entirely different kind of pressure.Finally, the glass doors slid open, and there she was — Serena. The golden glow of the evening sun made her look even more radiant, her hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on him.And when her face broke into a smile — that warm, breathtaking smile — Joaquin felt his heart do an embarrassing little flip.“Joaquin? Are you waiting for someone?” Serena teased as she approached, a playful glint in her eyes.He scratched the back of his head, feigning innocence. “Have you forgotten? We had plans, right? Dinner?”Serena blinked,
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Chapter 200: The Ring’s Reckoning
The sting of blood in his mouth was sharp.Metallic.Familiar.But it was the pressure in his gut—the searing pain of Lina's clawed hand still warm from piercing him—that blurred the edges of Joaquin’s vision.He couldn’t move.Not right away.His body was frozen from shock, heat and cold dancing across his spine like a cruel joke.He gasped for air, lips trembling, eyes barely holding onto the sight of Lina’s triumphant smirk.“Thanks for surrendering the ring to me,” she whispered again, her voice soaked in vict
Chapter 199: The Final battle 1
The arena was silent.Joaquin couldn’t deny the nerves coiling in his stomach as he stood at the edge, preparing for his final match.He had triumphed in his last two battles. But even before this one began, he knew—it was going to be hard.Not because his opponent was powerful.But because once again, he would be facing her—Lina.The same girl who had stolen his ring.To this day, she hadn’t given him a single reason why.He used to think he didn’t want to know. But when he saw her fight, he realized—there was som
Chapter 198: Shadows and Sparks
After his earlier match, Joaquin chose to stay in the room for a while longer, waiting for the call to his next battle.Outside, the muffled cheers of the crowd echoed through the concrete walls—constant, rhythmic waves of energy that reminded him: the war was far from over.He shut his eyes for a moment and let the ambient noise fade into the background.Then came a soft knock.A young attendant peeked in, eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and nerves. “Mr. Lopez, the next round’s schedule has been posted. Your match is in two hours.”Joaquin gave a small nod, offering a faint but polite smile. “Thank you.”As the door clicked shut, he stoo
Chapter 197: The First Clash
Joaquin woke up early the next day, readying himself for his first match. Stage Two of the competition had officially begun.He was already inside the waiting room, silently preparing as he waited for his turn. From where he sat, he could hear the roar of the crowd echoing from the arena. There were a few matches scheduled before his, which gave him time—but not peace.The arena was vast—an expanse of polished concrete with high ceilings that amplified every sound. Bright lights bathed the place in a sterile glow, casting long shadows that danced with every movement. Rows upon rows of seats circled the central platform, where the fighters for Stage Two were beginning to prove themselv
Chapter 196: The Last 50
Joaquin adjusted the collar of his coat as he stood outside the grand venue, staring up at the towering building before him. The banquet for the fifty remaining contenders of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition was being held at a luxury estate—one reserved for elite sponsors and facilitators. Nothing about this place felt casual. Every inch screamed prestige, wealth, and quiet pressure.He wasn’t nervous. But he wasn’t calm, either.For the past two days, he had trained relentlessly at the Suarez estate—throwing punches, dodging blows, simulating combat over and over again with Rick and Cedrick. He barely slept. Barely ate. Not because of the competition—
Chapter 195: A Celebration
After the announcement, Joaquin returned to the Suarez estate. He decided to spend the next three days there to prepare for the upcoming stage. He was already thinking of a plan—how to get his ring back.“Well, congratulations to you, Joaquin! I knew you'd make it,” Miguel said, beaming. He sounded like a proud father celebrating his son’s success.He raised his wine glass.Joaquin gave a small smile and toasted with him.As a celebration of his victory, Miguel had prepared a dinner.Rick and Cedrick were also there to join them.Miguel sat at the center of the long dining table. His son sat to his right, while Joaquin sat to his left.
Chapter 194: The Announcement
Joaquin didn’t stay long at the hospital. As soon as he had recovered, he left immediately. An invitation card had arrived for him—sent by the facilitator of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition. That day, the winners of Stage One would be officially announced.Joaquin didn’t really want to go. But he had something he needed to get back. He had to reclaim his ring. And he was certain Lina would be there.He didn’t bother dressing up. He simply wore the formal suit Rick had lent him. Rick also drove him to the venue.He entered the hall.
Chapter 193: Lost Ring
Joaquin slowly opened his eyes.The hum of the fluorescent lights above was the first thing he became aware of. His vision adjusted gradually to the blinding white ceiling. For a few seconds, he just stared up in confusion. The sterile white walls, the smell of antiseptic, the pristine linens... it all registered in bits and pieces.A hospital?He turned his head cautiously. Beside him were machines softly beeping, their rhythm oddly comforting. A drip was attached to his arm. His head ached—not sharp pain, just a dull, persistent throb, like a faded memory of something violent.
Chapter 192: Ending
Joaquin continued walking, gripping his knife tightly. Even after that battle with the creature, he couldn’t let his guard down.His legs were dragging with every step. It was only then he realized one of them had a deep wound.Sure, it wasn’t his first time facing strange creatures—but never something like that... Half-human, or whatever it was.He had a strong suspicion it was part of the Black Viper Society. Maybe one of their failed experiments. Maybe that’s why it turned out that way.When he turned a corner in the maze, his legs finally gave out. He slumped to the ground and leaned against the wall, breathing deeply.
—— To be Continued... ——
