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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 20: The Ashgwanda Roots
The cool night air hit Joaquin as he stepped out of the hospital, releasing a heavy sigh. The day had been grueling, and Andrea’s constant teasing hadn’t helped. If he snapped at her, he risked his job, so he had to endure it.He rubbed his temples, ready to head home, when the sound of screeching tires made him look up. A black Mercedes sped toward him, and he quickly stepped aside. The car stopped inches from him, and the window rolled down to reveal Rick’s serious face.“Get in,” Rick said, his tone leaving no room for argument.Joaquin hesitated. “Is something wrong? Did something happen to Miguel?”Rick shook his head. \“Just get in.”Joaquin slid into the passenger seat, his nerves on edge. The car sped off, the tension thick in the confined space. After a few minutes of silence, Rick finally spoke.“Miguel sent me to give you this.”Rick reached into the back seat and pulled out a wooden box, tossing it onto Joaquin’s lap. Joaquin’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “What i
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 21: The Awakening
“Descendant, wake up.”Joaquin’s eyes snapped open, finding himself back in the strange void. The voice was familiar, resonating with an authority that sent shivers down his spine.“You are ready, and I feel the fire in your heart already,” the voice continued.Joaquin tried to respond, but like the first time he was here, his voice didn’t work. He was forced to listen in silence.“Master the Blazing Sun Technique. Awaken your strength, and it will forge your path to power,” the voice commanded, fading as Joaquin’s surroundings dissolved into darkness.A vision materialized before him—a man, his ancestor, moved with fluid precision, demonstrating the steps of the Blazing Sun Technique. The sheer intensity of the movements radiated power, leaving Joaquin in awe.The dream ended abruptly.Joaquin woke up in his bed, drenched in sweat, his breathing heavy.“The Blazing Sun Technique...” he murmured, sitting up and crossing his legs. The dream wasn’t just a vision—it was a message fro
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 22: Confusion
“You will regret this, Joaquin! Why are you being so stubborn? Is this because of Serena? Did you two already do it?”Joaquin's mouth fell open in shock.“What?”Mikyla smirked, crossing her arms.“Well, you’re acting all high and mighty now, even though you're just a caregiver. Someone must be backing you up.”Joaquin let out a dry laugh.“Don’t point fingers at me, Mikyla. You know what? I’m just realizing now how pathetic it was that I ever fell for you. I wasted years trying to please someone like you.”Mikyla’s expression darkened. She suddenly felt self-conscious as she noticed passersby glancing in their direction.“And what’s that supposed to mean, huh? I was the one who wasted time on you! I should’ve been with someone better!”Joaquin smirked. “Then why are you still getting in my way? Can’t you just move on?”Mikyla clenched her jaw, unable to come up with a quick retort. Joaquin took that as his cue to walk away.“You’ll regret this, Joaquin!” Mikyla fumed internally, watc
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 23: Confrontation
Joaquin sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the floor as he waited for Serena to speak.He could feel the weight of her stare, sharp and unyielding, as if he had committed some grave mistake.After a long moment, Serena cleared her throat.“Do you like her?”Joaquin’s head snapped up, caught completely off guard.“What?”Serena leaned back, crossing her arms.“I asked if you like her.”Joaquin shook his head vigorously. “No, Ms. Del Mar! I—I’m just doing my job.”Serena rolled her e
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 24: Kidnapped
“I have your sister, Jasmine. If you want to see her alive, you’ll do exactly what I say.”Joaquin felt like the world froze around him.“Hello? Who is this? Hello—damn it!”Frustrated, Joaquin stared at his phone, but the call had already ended.Andrea and Serena exchanged concerned glances as they watched him.“Joaquin? Are you okay?” Andrea asked softly.“What happened? Who called you?” Serena added, her voice laced with worry.Joaquin took a shaky breath, his face a mask of worry. His sister had been taken, and he couldn’t think of anyone who would do this to them.Then, suddenly, a thought struck him.Without a word, Joaquin rushed out of the room.“Joaquin!” Andrea and Serena called after him.They both tried to follow him, but only Serena managed to keep up. Andrea cannot get out because of the dextrose hose that was in her arm. Frustrated, Andrea clenched her teeth and retreated back into the room to grab her phone.“Hello? Find out what’s going on with Joaquin right now!” A
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 25: He took her
“Joaquin, please! We should go to the police instead!” Serena pleaded, still trying to calm him down.But Joaquin was certain of his suspicion. No one else would do this—it had to be Andrew.Determined, he stormed toward Andrew’s room. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and rushed inside.Mikyla, who was casually flipping through a magazine, jumped to her feet at the sudden intrusion. She glared at him.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?! Why are you here?” she demanded, her voice laced with irritation.Joaquin ignored her. His eyes darted to the bed—empty. Without missing a beat, he strode toward the bathroom and flung the door open.Nothing.Frustration boiled inside him. He turned back to Mikyla.“What do you want, Joaquin?! I’m calling security!” Mikyla snapped.Joaquin didn’t acknowledge her threat. Instead, he asked coldly, “Where is he?”Serena reached for his arm. “Joaquin, calm down first.”Mikyla raised an eyebrow. “Who are you even looking for? Are you blind
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 26: He took her 2
“He took my sister!” Joaquin said, his voice heavy with frustration.“We should call for help. This isn’t good!” Serena suggested.Joaquin turned sharply to her. “No.”Serena frowned, shocked. “What? Your sister is missing! We need to call the police!”Joaquin clenched his fists, his anger bubbling to the surface. “No one can help my sister but me, Ms. Del Mar. I appreciate your concern, but I’ll handle this.”Serena’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you planning to do?”“I’m going to find her myself,” Joaquin said with unwavering determination. “Please, just let Ms. Johnson know about the situation. She might start worrying if I’m not back soon.”Joaquin walked toward the waiting shed, his mind set on one thing—revenge. He promised himself that anyone who had hurt his sister would pay.Serena was left frustrated. She couldn’t believe that, despite everything, Joaquin still thought about Andrea in the midst of this crisis. She grunted in frustration and made a decision.“Wait, Joaqui
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 27: He will come
Inside the dimly lit abandoned building owned by the Drey Group, Andrew paced back and forth, his fingers twitching with impatience. The place reeked of dust and rust, the air thick with the weight of old secrets and forgotten history. He turned to Nico Drey, who sat calmly on a worn-out chair, legs crossed, watching him with mild amusement.“He’ll come,” Andrew muttered, more to himself than to Nico. “Joaquin won’t ignore this. Not when his sister’s life is on the line.”Nico arched a brow, unconcerned. “And what if he calls the police instead?”Andrew scoffed. “Joaquin? Call the cops? That’s not his style. He’ll come straight here, ready to play the hero.”Nico smirked, tapping his fingers against the armrest. “You sound confident.”Andrew clenched his jaw, his voice laced with something darker—resentment, maybe even hatred. “Because I know him. Joaquin always plays by the rules. He thinks if he fights hard enough, he’ll win. But this time, he’s walking straight into my hands.”Nico
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Chapter 228: A Call for help
Joaquin’s shoulders sagged heavily as he walked into the house.Every step felt heavier than the last.He didn’t want to leave Serena’s side—not when her life was still hanging by a thread.But he knew he had no choice.He needed rest if he was going to save her.He needed strength.And most of all, he needed answers.Because he knew deep in his bones that the cure for Serena’s condition wouldn’t be found in any hospital.Not in any book.Not in any medicine known to man.This—whatever had poisoned Serena—was something far more ancient.As soon as he entered his room, he didn’t waste a second.He locked the door and bolted the windows, making sure no one could disturb him.The familiar smell of home barely registered in his nose.All he could think about was her.Her pale face.Her weakening heartbeat.Her soft voice called his name before she slipped into unconsciousness.He pushed the memory away and dropped to the floor, sitting cross-legged right in the center of the room.The air
Chapter 227: The Surgery
The doors slammed shut behind Joaquin.For a moment, the world outside disappeared—and it was just him, Serena, and the fight that was about to begin.He quickly scrubbed in, his hands trembling slightly—not from fear, but from the overwhelming weight of what was at stake.You can do this, he told himself, breathing deeply, steadying his hands.He approached Serena's operating table.She looked so fragile, lying there under the harsh surgical lights, her face pale and still, her breathing shallow and strained."You’re going to be okay, love," Joaquin whispered under his breath."I’ll bring you back. I promise."The nurses around him moved efficiently, handing him tools, monitoring Serena’s vitals.Joaquin gave quick, sharp instructions, falling into the rhythm of a surgeon—focused, precise, merciless against the enemy threatening his beloved.But the moment he made the first incision and peeled back the damaged tissue, his heart stopped.What he saw wasn't something any textbook had p
Chapter 226: Trust
The ambulance ride to Villareal Medical Hospital was a blur.Joaquin stayed by Serena’s side the entire time, holding her hand tightly, refusing to let go even for a second. The paramedics tried to assure him that she was stable, but for Joaquin, nothing was certain until he saw her open her eyes and smile again."Just a little more, love," he whispered under his breath. "Stay with me."When they arrived at VMH, the hospital staff, already alerted by Dr. Reyes, rushed Serena straight into the diagnostic wing. Joaquin followed closely behind, barking rapid instructions to the doctors like a man possessed."Full-body MRI. Prioritize her brain scan. Blood work. Everything. Move!"No one dared question him.Inside the emergency room, the machines buzzed to life.Joaquin watched through the glass as Serena was carefully prepped.Each beep from the monitors sent a spike of fear through his chest.A few minutes later, Dr. Ramirez, one of VMH’s senior neurologists, approached him."Dr. Lope
Chapter 225: Sick
"Serena!"Joaquin rushed to her side without wasting a second.He scooped her up carefully and checked her condition.She was unconscious—but there was still a pulse."Serena, wake up!" he pleaded, gently tapping her cheek."My daughter!"Emilio suddenly appeared, hurrying toward them."You! Let her go!" he shouted, his voice laced with fury.But Joaquin didn’t even flinch.His throat tightened when he realized how faint her pulse was.Without hesitation, he pulled her closer and tried to leave——but Emilio and several of his bodyguards blocked his path."Where do you think you’re going?! Are you trying to kidnap her in broad daylight?!" Emilio barked, disbelief clear in his voice."She’s weak! She needs to be taken to a hospital!" Joaquin shot back.James stepped between them, arms spread as if shielding Serena."No! If she’s really sick, I’ll be the one to take her!" he insisted.Joaquin tightened his hold on Serena, feeling the panic and rage brewing inside him."We don't have time
Chapter 224: The Wedding
Joaquin had just arrived home after the competition.He hadn’t even stepped fully inside when Jasmine rushed out to meet him."Joaquin! Thank goodness you're finally back!" Jasmine cried, her voice tight with worry.Her face was pale, anxious, her hands wringing the hem of her shirt.Joaquin’s brow furrowed immediately."What's wrong? Did something happen?"Jasmine hesitated, glancing away, struggling to find the words."It's Serena, Joaquin," she said quietly. "I’m afraid... we’re out of time."At the mention of Serena’s name, Joaquin’s heart started pounding violently against his chest. His instincts kicked in, his mind already racing."What? What happened? Is she okay?" he demanded.Jasmine dropped onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands for a moment before taking a long, shaky breath."Earlier today, Mikyla came here. I thought she was just here to cause trouble again, but no. She was frantic—panicking even—because she said she couldn't reach you. She told me... Serena’s wedd
Chapter 223: The Serpent
The air backstage was thick with sweat, blood, and tension.Joaquin moved with slow, deliberate steps, the cheers of the crowd still ringing in his ears. Every muscle in his body ached. His knuckles were split and bruised. His ribs burned with every breath. But none of that mattered. Not now.He hadn't forgotten.He couldn't forget.This fight was never just about the championship.It was about justice.It was about Master Iroh.Her sister, Jasmine.And George Beckham still had answers he hadn’t given.Miguel and Rick tried to steer him toward the locker rooms, but Joaquin shook them off with a tight jerk of his head.There was something he needed to do first."Give me a minute," he said, voice rough.Miguel frowned. "Joaquin—""I won't kill him," Joaquin said flatly. "Just talk."Miguel hesitated, then finally nodded. Rick crossed his arms, staying close but silent.George had just been hauled off the arena floor by two of his lackeys, limping heavily toward the private medical room
Chapter 222: The Winner
The morning of the final round arrived like a heavy storm.The city felt different—quieter, heavier—like the whole world was holding its breath.Joaquin woke before dawn, the restless energy inside him too much to ignoreHe barely touched his breakfast.He barely spoke a word.Rick came to pick him up, his usual casual grin replaced by a tense frown.Even Miguel, who rarely showed nerves, seemed heavier somehow, his presence more guarded.They knew.Everyone knew.This wasn’t just a fight.It was a war for everything Joaquin had left."You ready?" Rick asked as they drove toward the underground arena.Joaquin nodded once, his jaw tight.He didn’t trust himself to speak.Because the truth was—He wasn’t just ready.He was desperate.Desperate to win.Desperate to save Serena.Desperate to take back everything that had been stolen from them.The arena buzzed with anticipation.Spectators filled the stands, shouting and cheering as the final match of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition wa
Chapter 221: Begging
The next few days flew by in a blur.Joaquin trained harder than he ever had before.He knew he had to focus on his training first, before he could go back to Serena.He was still worried—God, he was always worried—but he had to set it aside for now.If he wanted to get her back, he needed to win. He needed to be strong enough.Under Miguel’s sharp and relentless supervision, Joaquin sparred daily with Rick, working on his speed, his reflexes, and his technique.He pushed himself past exhaustion, past the ache in his muscles, until the only thing left was pure willpower.And there was something else—something strange inside him.That strange energy, that force he barely understood, was growing.It seemed to answer to his emotions, flaring to life whenever he thought of Serena, whenever he imagined her lost and confused, married off to a man she didn't even love.The stronger his resolve became, the stronger the energy surged inside him, crackling just beneath the surface of his skin.
Chapter 220: Doubts
Tears welled up in Joaquin’s eyes as he stood there, helpless and heartbroken.He watched Serena, who looked at him with both confusion and wariness.He couldn't blame her.After all, the people around her must have filled her head with lies while she was vulnerable.With a heavy heart, Joaquin turned away, clenching his fists tightly at his sides.He took one last look at her, memorizing her face — the face he loved more than anything else — and silently made a vow to himself."I’ll bring you back to me," he whispered under his breath, so softly that even Serena couldn’t hear him.When he stepped out of the room, Mikyla was waiting for him in the hallway, arms crossed and an unreadable expression on her face."How did it go?" she asked quietly.Joaquin shook his head, struggling to steady his voice."She doesn't remember me," he said hoarsely. "They already brainwashed her. She thinks she's engaged to James."Mikyla pressed her lips into a thin line, guilt flickering across her featu
