_Elisa's POV_
As we made our way to the cellar, a sense of trepidation gripped me. I had never ventured into this forbidden territory before, and the thought of defying Matteo's orders filled me with unease. He was fiercely protective of me, always insisting that the cellar was off-limits due to the dangerous criminals it housed.
But now, with Thalassa's fate hanging in the balance, I couldn't afford to let fear hold me back. If there was a chance that we could uncover the truth and clear her name, I had to take it, regardless of the risks.
As we descended the stairs into the dimly lit cellar, the air grew heavy with the scent of dampness and decay. The sound of muffled voices and clinking chains echoed through the darkness, sending a shiver down my spine.
Lucas and Kade moved ahead ca
