"I appreciate it." Bowden's expression soured, his daughter's behavior clearly a bitter pill to swallow.

“Miss Phillips, I heard you've been searching for some top doctors lately. Is there something you need?" Bowden changed the subject, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Lilah paused, weighing her words. “An elder of mine is seriously ill and regular doctors can't help, so we're looking for other options."

A glimmer of a smile played on Bowden's lips. “A relative of mine was really sick recently but made a miraculous recovery thanks to a doctor we found. Maybe you could try seeing this doctor."

“Please tell me more about the doctor," Lilah replied, a flicker of hope dancing in her eyes.

Cyrus’ illness had been hanging over her head like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over her every waking moment.

Bowden's suggestion was like a ray of sunshine breaking through the gloom.

"This doctor, who reportedly returned from Starvale, is highly skilled but prefers to maintain a low profile. It's embarrassing to admit it took me some time just to obtain her contact information, and I haven't had reason to use it yet," Bowden elaborated while scrolling through his phone.

Starvale?

The word hit Lilah like a bolt from the blue.

Gerard had also mentioned trying to track down a hotshot doctor from Starvale.

Could they be one and the same?

"Here's the doctor's contact information. You might want to give her a call," Bowden said, passing her his phone.

Lilah swiftly saved the number.

"Mr. Ruiz, I can't express my gratitude enough," she said as they bid farewell.

After seeing off Bowden and Ruth, Lilah hastened back to her room, her heart racing as she dialed the number.

The first call went unanswered, echoing in the void.

Undaunted, Lilah tried again.

The second call was rebuffed.

The third attempt met the same fate.

Lilah found herself puzzled. Could it be that the esteemed doctor felt swamped by the constant stream of interactions each day?

Concerned about potentially pestering the doctor too much and risking being blocked, she opted to send a message introducing herself and explaining her reasons for reaching out.

To her dismay, silence reigned supreme, only adding fuel to her frustration.

Opting for a proactive approach, Lilah powered up her computer, delving into the depths of the dark web for information.