Joaquin was getting ready. Together with Rick, he planned once more for their next strike.This time, he would make sure Javier would not escape alive.“Joaquin, are you really sure about this? What if something happens to you again?” Serena asked worriedly, stepping closer as he buttoned his shirt.“I need to do this, Serena,” Joaquin said quietly but firmly. “None of this will end unless I stop my father. Only then will I finally feel at peace—knowing that everyone, especially you, is safe.”Serena sighed, her eyes clouded with fear. “I just… I’m worried, Joaquin. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose you for good.”Joaquin reached out, cupping her cheek gently. “I promise you, once this is over, we’ll finally live the life we dreamed of. But I can’t walk away now… not when I know they’ll never stop coming.”Serena gave a faint, sad nod. “Fine. Just be careful.”Joaquin smiled softly and pressed a lingering kiss on her lips before leaving the room. He made sure that Serena was guarded

Javier screamed in agony as Joaquin’s force sent him crashing through the wall, leaving a gaping hole in the concrete. The sound of cracking stone echoed throughout the chamber. Joaquin stood tall amidst the haze of dust and smoke, his aura burning with fiery rage that shimmered like molten light around his clenched fists.He smirked darkly. “What now, Father?”Javier groaned, pushing himself up with trembling arms. Blood streaked down his temple, yet his eyes still burned with defiance. “H-How can you do this, Joaquin? I’m your father!”Joaquin let out a bitter, hollow laugh. “Father? Are you?” His voice shook—not from fear, but fury. “I don’t even know what’s real anymore because of you. You ruined my life from the very beginning! You took everything away from me!”“I gave you everything!” Javier roared back, pounding his fist against his chest. “You think all your power, all your victories—came from you alone? You wouldn’t be standing there if it weren’t for me! Everything you hav

After Joaquin’s showdown with the Black Viper Society, things finally quieted down. News of Javier Villarreal’s death spread across the country — everyone talked about it. Because Joaquin was the recognized son, he became the next heir to everything: the position, the empire, the fortune.But Joaquin chose a simple life. He remained chairman in name, but he let his people run the day-to-day. He worked behind closed doors.Joaquin decided to stay with Serena at the quiet villa he’d bought for them.“You know you don’t have to go to the hospital, right?” Joaquin asked Serena, watching her get ready.She picked up her bag and faced him. “Well, you shouldn’t have made me president if you weren’t going to actually let me go to the hospital, Mr. Chairman,” she teased.Joaquin chuckled and slipped his arms around her waist. “I know you — you wouldn’t be stopped from going. This is your passion.”Serena rolled her eyes but hugged his neck. “You know you can always come back. Your people need

The man burst into laughter, the kind that dripped with arrogance.“You’re not seriously going to sell that ring to him, are you?” he asked the saleslady, his tone sharp with entitlement.The poor woman froze, swallowing hard, eyes darting between the two men. She didn’t know what to do.“You don’t recognize me, do you?” the man barked, leaning closer. “You’d really rather serve him than me?!”The saleslady’s face turned pale; she clearly didn’t recognize the man, but his tone alone was enough to make her panic.Joaquin almost rolled his eyes. He’d met men like this all his life — loud, spoiled, and convinced that money made them gods.“So what if you’re someone important?” Joaquin said coolly. “I’m buying this ring, no matter who you think you are.”The man laughed — a sharp, mocking sound. “You’ve got some nerve talking to me like that. Do you have a death wish or something?”Joaquin tilted his head. “Why? Who exactly are you to talk so loud?”The man straightened his suit and puffe

After dinner, Joaquin and Serena left the restaurant hand in hand.The city lights shimmered like scattered stars, reflected on the rain-kissed pavement. It had drizzled earlier — not enough to ruin the night, just enough to make everything glow.Joaquin opened the car door for her. “Careful,” he murmured, smiling as she gathered her dress and slid in.Serena looked at him with that same tender disbelief she’d been wearing all evening. “I still can’t believe this happened.”“Well, believe it,” he teased, settling behind the wheel. “You’re stuck with me now.”She laughed softly, her fingers brushing over the ring again. It fit perfectly — as if it had always belonged there. “You really surprised me, Joaquin. I thought you were just taking me to dinner.”He grinned. “You underestimate my ability to be romantic.”“Oh, I don’t,” she countered playfully. “I just didn’t expect this level of effort. A fancy dinner, a diamond ring, and a speech that could make anyone cry?”He chuckled, starti