THE DOCTOR THAT KILLS

Face of a nobody, name of a king

Chapter 4

Adrian walked out of the hospital with a small smile on his face.

He was a doctor, but for the first time, he actually felt like one.

Before his ten-year coma, his colleagues had always looked down on him.

Though he bore the title of a doctor, he was never given the chance to treat a patient. They all considered him incompetent.

He had been reduced to handling instruments, sterilizing equipment, and cleaning up after surgeries, doing the work of an intern, despite his qualifications.

But today was different.

Today, he had felt the pressure of holding a life in his hands.

And for some reason, it felt… good.

He looked down at the platinum card in his hand and beamed.

It was a membership card granting him access to the topmost floor of Madam Graciela Vaughn’s hotel.

Not just any hotel, it was a five-star luxury empire, the most elite in America.

Adrian had no cash on him for a taxi, so he decided to walk, even though the hotel was quite far.

He had nowhere else to go. Returning to the Eugene family’s home would be like eating his own vomit.

He would never go back there.

As he walked, he noticed something unusual.

He could see the health conditions of everyone who passed him, readings, symptoms, conditions, like floating data only visible to him.

It was distracting, but he knew he had to get used to this strange new ability until he fully understood it.

Finally, after a long trek, he arrived at the hotel.

Luxury radiated from the building.

Expensive cars moved in and out. Valets in suits opened doors for powerful men and dazzling women.

Adrian couldn’t help but admire the vehicles as he approached the entrance.

Still dressed in his hospital gown, he knew he didn’t look presentable.

He didn’t fit in, not by appearance, not by aura.

But this card in his pocket… it was his only key. His only hope.

He walked up to the reception desk and gave the receptionist a polite smile.

She didn’t return it.

Instead, she gave him a long, scornful look, like he was filth on a glass floor.

“I’m sorry, but beggars are not allowed here,” she said coldly. “Try somewhere else.”

Adrian froze.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

He struggled to find the right words to respond. His voice caught in his throat.

She hadn’t even let him speak. She saw his clothes, made a decision, and shut him down, just like everyone else always did.

Trying to maintain composure, he cleared his throat. “Well… I’m actually here as a member, not a beggar.”

The receptionist let out a mocking laugh. “Do you know what it takes to be a member of Graciela Vaughn’s hotel?”

She leaned forward arrogantly, counting on her fingers.

“Bronze membership costs a million dollars. That’s the lowest tier. Silver? Five hundred million. And platinum?”

She chuckled. “Only two people in the world have that. It’s worth over a billion dollars.”

Adrian arched a brow. “So?”

“So,” she said, rolling her eyes, “you being a member? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year.”

Adrian reached into his pocket and pulled out the sleek, platinum card.

He placed it gently on the desk.

“I would like to check into the topmost floor… as a platinum member.”

The receptionist’s jaw dropped.

She stared at the card, her eyes wide in disbelief. She was frozen for a moment.

Then her arrogance snapped back like a rubber band.

“This must be fake,” she said sharply. “You worthless piece of trash.”

“It’s not fake,” Adrian said calmly. “It’s absolutely real.”

“I’m warning you,” she hissed. “If you don’t leave this hotel right now, I’ll call security and have you thrown out.”

“On what grounds?” he asked, now visibly irritated. “Have I done anything wrong? Or are you just too narrow-minded to believe that someone like me could possibly be worthy of something so valuable?”

Before the receptionist could fire back, the glass doors of the hotel slid open.

A well-dressed man in a designer suit walked in, arm in arm with a beautiful woman.

He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips.

“Let’s have the best honeymoon of our lives, baby,” he said with a grin.

Adrian’s breath hitched.

He recognized the man immediately.

Ariel’s younger brother, Alex

Alex look his way and saw him, the smile on his face was replaced with a frown

“Well, well, well… Look who we have here. Adrian Zhao, the good-for-nothing ex-husband of my beloved sister.”

Adrian frowned but didn’t respond. He had no energy for petty games.

“Mr. Alex,” the receptionist beamed as she turned toward the new guest, her attitude doing a complete 180. “It’s so good to have you here. Which membership card are you holding?”

“Bronze,” Alex said with a smile, strutting in with pride.

Adrian stood silently, watching how the receptionist’s behavior shifted.

She had shoved him aside without a second thought, simply because he looked poor.

Yet here she was, fawning over Alex simply because he came from a "reputable" family.

Adrian turned to her, irritation in his voice. “And how about me?”

Before the receptionist could respond, Alex cut in, grinning like a snake.

“So it’s true. You’re finally awake. What are you doing here, Adrian? Looking for a job? I could put in a good word for you with Madam Graciela. Maybe she’ll consider you for… I don’t know… a gatekeeper position?”

Adrian chuckled coldly. “I doubt you even have the guts to call Madam Graciela.

Your family may be ‘influential’ in San Francisco, but you? You’re not even worthy of being her acquaintance.”

Alex's smile faltered for a split second.

Adrian didn’t miss it. His ability allowed him to see beyond surface expressions.

He noticed the spike in Alex’s heart rate. The guy was lying.

He was bluffing, and clearly intimidated by the very mention of Madam Graciela.

“You don’t have the right to talk to Mr. Alex that way!” the receptionist snapped.

Adrian clenched his fists in frustration.

Once again, he was being belittled. Mocked. Disregarded.

He hated it.

“I’ll give you one last chance,” the receptionist hissed. “Take your forged platinum card and leave this hotel!”

Alex's eyes narrowed, suddenly catching a glimpse of the card in Adrian’s hand.

“Is that a platinum card?” he scoffed.

“Did your coma make you forget your place so badly that you went and faked one? You don’t even belong here. Your presence alone is ruining the image of this hotel!”

Then, he turned to the receptionist. “Call security. Get him out of here.”

The receptionist didn’t hesitate. She reached for the landline and called the security office.

Moments later, two tall men in black suits entered the lobby and grabbed Adrian by the arms.

He struggled against them, rage flashing in his eyes.

“How dare you look down on me?” he growled. “You’ll all regret this!”

Alex stood back, watching the scene with a satisfied smirk.

But just then… the doors swung open.

Four men in navy-blue suits walked in, moving with sharp precision.

Each one wore dark sunglasses and a stern expression. They flanked both sides.

Then she walked in.

A woman in a designer suit with an icy gaze, her heels clicking with power on the marble floor.

The atmosphere shifted. People gasped.

Madam Graciela Vaughn.

The receptionist paled instantly. Alex froze in place.

Her voice rang out cold and commanding.

“Who dares say he’s not worthy of a platinum card?”

Madam Graciela’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she approached the scene.

Her presence alone silenced the entire lobby.

The guards immediately released Adrian and stepped back.

Alex tried to regain his composure and stepped forward with a fake smile. “M-Madam Graciela, I didn’t know you were around. I was just—”

She raised a hand, and he froze mid-sentence.

Without a word, she extended her hand toward him.

Alex hesitated, confused.

“Your card,” she said flatly.

“My... what?”

“Your bronze membership card, Mr. Eugene. Hand it over.”

“But why? I...”

“You don’t deserve the honor of setting foot in this hotel ever again. And anyone who dares insult Lord Adrian in my territory forfeits all privileges.”

Stunned, Alex shakily pulled the card from his wallet and handed it to her.

Graciela took it and, without hesitation, tore it in half.

Gasps echoed around the lobby.

She turned to the trembling receptionist, who was already shaking in fear.

“And you…” Graciela’s tone was ice. “You judged a man by his clothes.

You humiliated a man who is worth more than your entire generation will ever dream to be.”

“P-please, Madam...”

“You’re fired.”

“No...please, I have children...”

“Security. Escort her out. And blacklist her from ever working in hospitality again.”

The guards returned. This time, they didn't touch Adrian, they grabbed the receptionist, dragging her away as she wailed and begged.

Madam Graciela turned to face Adrian fully.

She gave a short, respectful bow.

“Forgive us, Lord Adrian.”

Adrian’s eyes widened. “L...Lord?”

She smiled softly. “Yes. The platinum card you hold is real. One of only three in the world. You were chosen, and no one, not even a member of the Eugene family, has the right to question your place.”

Her voice then sharpened, directed at everyone still watching.

“Let this day be remembered. You all disrespected the wrong man.”

Murmurs swept through the lobby. People began whispering Adrian’s name in confusion, awe, and disbelief.

Adrian blinked. This was all happening too fast.

“Wait...” he said slowly, turning back to Graciela. “Why did you call me Lord Adrian?”

Graciela looked at him with a mysterious glint in her eyes.

“Because,” she said, “someone very important wants to see you.”

He furrowed his brows. “Who?”

Graciela took a step closer, lowering her voice as the elevator behind her opened.

“The truth.”