All Chapters of The Doctor's Reckoning: Chapter 301
- Chapter 310
342 chapters
Chapter 298
Joaquin collapsed onto the bed in the room Rick had arranged for him, utterly exhausted. He’d expected resistance—expected them not to believe him again—but, thank God, they’d listened this time.He sat up and slipped the ring from his finger; now it hung from a simple cord around his neck. He stared at it, mind crowded with the same gnawing questions. After everything that had happened, was the ring worth it? His family had been corrupted long before he arrived. What if the knowledge the ring offered came from the same darkness? When did it begin?He blew out a breath and lay back down, trying to quiet his thoughts. Whatever the answer, the first thing he had to do was stop Veyrix’s plan.The next morning he woke early and set out to find the Hallowed Vault. As Miguel had warned, only one person might help him.He stood before a shuttered house. The windows were bolted, the door sealed, and from the outside it looked abandoned—yet a low, slow pulse of energy leaked from within. He wa
Chapter 299
By the time Joaquin arrived at the gates of Saint Illarion’s Chapel, the sun was already dipping low, bathing the sky in gold and violet.He didn’t expect it to be here—right in the middle of the city. He had imagined a forgotten ruin in the mountains or buried deep within a forest. But instead, the chapel stood quietly between two glass towers, like a relic of a faith the world had outgrown.Joaquin stepped through the old wooden doors. The inside was empty, but surprisingly well kept. Someone had been tending to it—polished pews, fresh flowers, and candles still burning faintly by the altar.He walked down the aisle, his footsteps echoing through the silence. Stopping before the statue at the altar, he bowed his head for a moment out of respect, then scanned the area.To his right, he noticed a narrow wooden door, half-hidden behind a tapestry. He went closer and turned the handle. The hinges creaked softly. Beyond was darkness.He blinked several times, waiting for his vision to ad
Chapter 300
Martin’s eyes widened. “Who the hell is that?” he asked in disbelief, his voice trembling slightly. Joaquin clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. “It’s you… Veyrix.” A slow, sinister grin stretched across Veyrix’s half-burned face. “Yes. And I’ve been meaning to meet you, Joaquin Lopez.” Joaquin’s voice came out low and rough. “What do you want from me?” Martin, who seemed completely oblivious to the danger, leaned closer to Joaquin and whispered nervously, “He knows you?” Joaquin shot him a sharp glare. “Stay out of this.” Veyrix laughed darkly, his voice echoing in the strange, glimmering void that surrounded them. “You’re the one who came into my place, Flame. And now you’re asking me what I want?” “Don’t act innocent,” Joaquin growled. “I wouldn’t have known about you if you hadn’t come for me first.” The amusement faded from Veyrix’s face, replaced by a look of cold, determined fury. Flames began to bloom from his hands—dark, oily fire that crackled like molten t
Chapter 301
“Fine. I’ll help.” Joaquin turned to look at his brother. “What?” Martin gave a crooked grin. “You look like you need it. So, I’ll help you.” A quiet laugh escaped Joaquin. “And you expect me to believe that?” he asked, shaking his head. He faced Martin fully now, eyes narrowing. “You’re part of the Society. Do you really think I’ll trust you?” Martin rolled his eyes. “Just because I’m a member doesn’t mean they control my mind. You’re still my brother, Joaquin. And whether you like it or not, I know I can help—so I will.” Joaquin exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. “I don’t need your help. You can go back to your boss and tell them they’ve won. Veyrix is free now.” Martin let out a small sigh and shook his head. For once, he wasn’t lying—he truly wanted to help. The Society didn’t even know he had been following Joaquin these past days. Ever since their fight, something inside him shifted. Joaquin had challenged him in ways no one ever had, and that unfamiliar fe
Chapter 302
The sun was already setting when Joaquin returned to Miguel’s estate. The once tranquil courtyard now felt heavy, the air thick with unease. Each step he took across the stone path echoed faintly, a dull rhythm that matched the pounding of his chest. His body ached — not from wounds, but from the weight of everything he had seen. Veyrix was real. And worse, he was free. Rick and Miguel were waiting for him by the veranda. When Rick saw him, his expression immediately hardened. “You look like you’ve been through hell.” Joaquin gave a dry laugh. “Something like that.” Miguel motioned for him to sit. The table before them still had a bottle of emberwine — untouched since their last conversation. Joaquin sank into the chair, every muscle in his body taut. “Well?” Miguel began. “What did you find at Saint Illarion’s?” “The vault isn’t sealed anymore,” Joaquin answered quietly. “Someone opened it long before I arrived.” Miguel’s eyes darkened. “The Black Viper Society?” “
Chapter 303
Joaquin froze when he sensed an unfamiliar presence. His instincts sharpened instantly. He looked around the dimly lit room, but there was no one—only the faint echo of a whisper that brushed against his ear like wind. “Martin?” he called out, his voice low but steady. He rose from the bed and walked toward the window. The moonlight glimmered faintly on his skin as he opened it and leaned forward, scanning the dark street below. Silence. But his gut told him something—or someone—was there. Then it came again. A whisper. Cold. Distant. Yet unmistakably human. He’s coming for you, Brother. Be ready.” Joaquin’s fists tightened. The warning sent a chill down his spine, but he stood tall. If that voice truly came from Martin, then something had gone terribly wrong. Without hesitation, Joaquin began dressing. His movements were brisk, determined. He didn’t know how he would find Martin—but he needed to. Whatever rift stood between them, it was clear Martin was risking somethin
Chapter 304
Joaquin felt the air leave his lungs as the splintered ropes bit into his wrists. He’d been awake for a while now, choosing silence as the two plots unrolled like a dark flower. He heard every word. The plan. The betrayal. That his life was a bargaining chip, nothing more.“You really mean to do this, Mom?” James asked, voice thin with doubt.Gracia rolled her eyes, impatience sharp as a blade. “And you’re still hesitant, James? When will you ever wake up?!”James swallowed. He glanced at Joaquin—bound to the chair, still unconscious at first, now stirring—then back at his mother. “But this is different, Mom. You want him killed. You want someone to murder him.”“And so what?” Gracia snarled. She stepped up to James and seized his collar like a viper. “I don’t care, James. I’ll do whatever it takes. Even if my hands get dirty, if it secures your position. So don’t you question me again.”She let him go and turned away, voice low and cold as she issued the command. “Prepare him.” Then
Chapter 305
James suddenly yanked out a gun and aimed it straight at Joaquin.“Fuck! Why don’t you just die?!” James snarled, voice raw with rage.Joaquin froze for a beat, then exhaled sharply. Like a blur he moved—so fast James barely registered it—then Joaquin’s hand was on his throat.“L-Let me go!” James choked, fighting to catch air.Joaquin’s face was a hard line. “You know, James. You had it all already, but because of your insecurity… you lost it. You lost everything.”James groped at Joaquin’s arm, trying to pry his fingers free, but they were iron. He flailed and spat blood. The room shrank into a soundless tunnel of pressure for him.“Let my son go!” Gracia screamed, barreling toward them with a wooden club.Joaquin didn’t flinch. He turned deliberately to Gracia as she swung—calm as a man who has accepted the storm.“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with you next,” he said softly.Gracia’s eyes widened. She looked around wildly for anything she could use. In a heartbeat Joaquin released James
Chapter 306
Joaquin let the police take James away without resistance. He didn’t stay any longer and drove straight back to Miguel’s estate.To contact Martin, he used the same method again—he whispered his name into the air.But before he could even enter the mansion, his phone rang. He took it out and answered.“Joaquin, where are you? I told you to stay there!” Javier’s voice came through, tense but controlled.“I still have things to do,” Joaquin replied curtly.Javier exhaled sharply, frustration evident. “You should’ve at least let me see you. I’m worried! Where is your sister?”“She’s safe. You don’t have to worry about her.”“Joaquin—”He ended the call before his father could continue. He didn’t have the patience for Javier’s nagging right now.After taking a quick shower and changing into clean clothes, he was about to go downstairs when his phone rang again.“Dr. Lopez?” a voice said.Joaquin frowned. “Who’s this?”“Thank God you answered! I’m from VMH. We’re short on doctors—we really
Chapter 307
Joaquin turned his gaze toward the furious doctor—and smirked the moment he recognized him. Andrew Alvarez. Of course. It would be him who’d object.“How can you be the next chairman?!” Andrew shouted, his voice echoing through the conference room.Serena let out a soft chuckle, crossing her arms. “Of course, he can. Haven’t you heard? He’s the son of Mr. Villareal.”Andrew’s face twisted in disbelief. “I don’t believe you! You—you had amnesia, didn’t you?!”Serena’s lips parted slightly, caught between disbelief and irritation. After all this time, Andrew’s jealousy toward Joaquin was still as strong as ever.“But it’s true,” John interjected calmly.Andrew abruptly stood, the chair screeching against the floor. “This is absurd! I won’t accept this!” he barked, storming out of the conference room in anger.The others exchanged uneasy glances.“Mr. Alvarez has lost it,” one of the doctors murmured. “Why can’t he accept Mr. Lopez?”“Maybe he’s just worried he won’t get the vice preside