As he passed Matthew, the suited man muttered bitterly, but Matthew did not respond or gloat and instead held steady eye contact for a brief moment before allowing the officers to lead the man away. Once the doors closed and the noise faded, Dr. Whitman cleared his throat shakily and announced that the ceremony would continue.
Mrs. Avery leaned toward Addison and asked, “Would you like to proceed?”
Addison glanced at Matthew, who gave her a small, reassuring nod that carried no command but simple presence, and she turned back toward the podium and walked forward without looking over her shoulder. The applause resumed gradually and cautiously as she accepted her diploma, her smile restrained yet genuine as she crossed the stage with visible determination.
Matthew remained near the aisle without drawing attention, and several parents who had shouted earlier avoided his gaze as the officers returned to their posts. The woman in the blazer approached him and said quietly, “It is documented and handled, so thank you for acting promptly.”
“I was doing my job,” Matthew replied simply.