THE DOCTOR THAT KILLS

Disguised power, unseen wrath

Chapter 8

Madam Graciela gently combed through her daughter’s long, silky hair, her eyes warm with admiration. "You look so beautiful," she whispered, setting the comb down delicately.

Valentina, in her late twenties, gave a nervous smile. “Mum, do I really have to do this? You know how much I hate public gatherings... because of my condition.”

“Valentina,” Madam Graciela said, her voice turning firm but loving, “you’re my only child. It’s time you step into the light. You’ve been hiding behind your modeling career for too long. This is just an extension of your brand. Vaughn Group is your legacy.”

Valentina stared at her gloves, long, fashionable, perfectly matching her dress. But to her, they weren’t a fashion statement. They were armor. A desperate shield against the world’s invisible filth.

“I know, Mum,” she said quietly. “But what if I make a scene? What if...”

“No one will touch you,” Madam Graciela assured. “Security has been instructed. You will be safe. You’ve come a long way. You can do this.”

“And who’s the guest of honor?” Valentina asked.

Madam Graciela smiled mysteriously. “That’s a surprise. Now go and take your time. But don’t keep the world waiting too long.”

She turned and exited, leaving Valentina staring at her own reflection.

She looked perfect on the outside. But inside... she was terrified.

Her diagnosis of chronic OCD—mysophobia—had haunted her since she was five. She washed her hands fifty times a day and still felt unclean. She was a goddess on the runway, but behind closed doors, she was just a girl fighting demons no one else could see.

---

Meanwhile, Adrian arrived at the Vaughn villa. Dressed simply in a long-sleeved black sequence suit, nothing extravagant, just enough to blend in.

After the Dior incident, he had told Drake he wanted something simple. Drake had objected of course, violently, but Adrian had insisted.

“I want to look normal,” he had said.

Now, standing at the entrance of the enormous Vaughn estate, he wasn’t so sure. The place screamed elegance and power. Exotic cars lined the driveway like they were part of the decor.

“Sir, if you need me, just call,” Drake said from behind him.

“Hmmm,” Adrian replied noncommittally.

“I’ll have my top men stay on the lookout.”

“Just go already,” Adrian said playfully, giving Drake a soft shove.

Drake smiled. “Fine. I’ll go. Since you’re so eager to be rid of me.”

Adrian watched him disappear into the shadows and took a deep breath.

This was his first real social event. A part of him still felt like the outsider. The failure. The poor doctor who wasn’t good enough for his wife.

He entered the sitting room. It was grand, too grand for a casual party. But this was the Vaughn household, casual didn’t exist here. Still, the setting felt homier than he expected.

Madam Graciela had hosted the event in-house to make her daughter feel comfortable.

As he moved through the crowd, no one spared him a glance. Just the way he wanted.

Just then, a middle-aged man approached, carrying a tray with five glasses of wine.

“Give these to the guests. Come back for more once you’re done,” he said flatly, thrusting the tray into Adrian’s hands before walking away.

Adrian blinked.

Not again.

He looked at the other waiters. All wore white shirts and black suits, almost identical to his own. It wasn’t hard to see why the mistake happened.

He sighed and set the tray on a nearby table. There was no point arguing. Not tonight.

He quietly slipped away from the sitting room, hoping to clear his head. Maybe even find a corner where he wouldn’t be mistaken for staff.

As he turned down a quieter corridor, he bumped into someone.

She stumbled slightly, and he instinctively caught her hand to keep her from falling.

"I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to...”

Valentina regained her balance and offered a tight smile. But her eyes... her eyes were panicked.

She quickly moved the hand he touched behind her back and began rubbing it violently.

Adrian’s enhanced senses picked up her heartbeat. It was rapid and erratic. He tried to see through her organs like he always did, but this time... he couldn’t.

He looked up, and recognition dawned on him.

It was her. The girl he healed in the hospital. Madam Graciela’s daughter.

She was even more beautiful now... sparkling grey eyes, smooth fair skin, hair cascading like a dark waterfall.

“You must be lost,” she said, trying to maintain composure. “Please get me a drink.”

"What!" He said with himself. She still thought he was a bartender.

“Are you okay, sir?” Valentina asked, sensing his pause.

He forced a smile. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get you a drink right away.”

He turned and headed back into the main room, confused.

Why was her heartbeat so loud? Why couldn’t he read her? Was it... the gloves?

As he reached the drinks section, a familiar voice cut through the air like poison.

“Well, well... what an unwanted surprise.”

Adrian turned.

It was Ariel. And with her, Lucian Stuart.

The name hit like a slap. Stuart Group, one of America’s most powerful families. Rich, arrogant, untouchable.

“I didn’t know the doctor turned bartender,” Ariel said, laughing cruelly.

“I’m not a bartender,” Adrian replied, coldly.

Lucian stepped forward, face twisted with superiority. “Don’t talk to my fiancée like that.”

“Then teach her to respect herself.”

Lucian slapped him across the face. Adrian held his chick in surprise

Guests turned to watch.

“Do you know who I am?” Lucian said. “Just one word and you’ll be kicked out of here like the street rat you are.”

Adrian clenched his fists.

He reached into his pocket for his phone. Wanting to call Drake but he found Nothing. He must’ve left it in the car.

"Fuck!" He cursed inwardly

“Get me whiskey. One for me, one for my fiancée,” Lucian sneered.

“I’m not a bartender. Get it yourself.”

Lucian scowled and walked towards the drink section, where the head bartend was standing.

“One of your men needs discipline.” He said

The man bowed. “Mr. Lucian, who dares disrespect you?”

The bartender slapped Adrian, then gestured to the guards.

“Take him behind the kitchen. He needs to be taught a lesson.”

Lucian smirked. “I’ll deal with him myself. Bring us somewhere quiet.”

The guards dragged Adrian away.

If only they knew who he really was.

Behind the kitchen, Ariel slapped Adrian. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“You people... you trample on others because of your status,” Adrian spat.

Lucian crushed his foot down on Adrian’s hand.

“Earn some status first,” he said mockingly.

“What’s going on here?”

A beautiful, calm voice sliced through the tension.

Everyone turned.

It was Valentina Vaughn.

Adrian looked at her in shock, why was she here?

Lucian smiled. “Miss Vaughn, a pleasure. Just disciplining a rude bartender.”

Valentina walked forward. And without hesitation, she slapped Lucian hard.

Adrian was yet again shocked, why did she defend him? Did she already know who he was?

“You have no right. This man works for the Vaughn's. And if anyone needs punishment, we handle it. Not you.”

Ariel bowed slightly. “My apologies Miss Vaughn, he’s mentally unstable. Should be in a hospital.”

Valentina slapped her too.

“How dare you insult one of our employees? Are you saying we don’t vet our staff?”

“I... I didn’t mean it that way,” Ariel stammered.

Valentina turned to the guards. “Escort them out. Bathe them in blood if you must. You know what I mean.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As Ariel and Lucian were dragged away, begging, Adrian finally stood.

“Are you alright?” Valentina asked gently.

Before he could respond, Drake appeared with his elite guards, fury in his eyes.

“Take this man,” he said, pointing at the bartender, “and kill him.”

“No, please Sir!” Adrian quickly cut in. “Beating him is fine.” He said to Drake, in a subtly way

He didn't want Valentina to know who he was just yet, so he acted as if he was a lowly worker begging Drake to spare the one who offended him

Drake completely understood what Adrian was trying to do

Valentina raised a brow. “Isn’t that a bit much, Mr. Drake?”

“Death is a kindness,” Drake said coldly. “He offended someone he shouldn’t have.”

Valentina watched the man being dragged away. His screams filled the hallway.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” she said to Adrian. “I’ll have my mum compensate you.”

“Thank you, Miss Valentina,” Adrian replied, bowing.

Drake stepped in. “I’ll take him. His wounds need tending.”

Valentina blinked. Drake? Personally tending to a bartender?

She said nothing, but her curiosity grew.