Chapter 17: He Arrived
Alexander kept a low profile. Everyone's eyes were glued to Ava on stage, and no one noticed him.
Ava stood at the podium, bathed in the spotlight, looking particularly lonely. Her eyes scanned the crowd and finally landed on Alexander, the man she once loved deeply but who had now drifted far from her.
Her heart pounded, each beat reminding her of the words she was about to say—words she had never spoken in front of Alexander before.
"Ava, are you okay?" the principal whispered beside her.
Ava snapped back to reality, smiled, and stood up straight. "I am honored to speak here today. Initially, I didn't like finance and didn't want to choose this major. I think the reason I chose finance was that I hoped to use my knowledge to help those around me. Unfortunately, the person I wanted to help didn't need my assistance."
Ava's voice trembled slightly. She tried to calm her emotions, but the turmoil inside her was hard to suppress. She knew this was not just a graduation speech; it was a moment of confession to Alexander and herself.
She recalled the day she chose the finance major, filled with hope. She believed that the power of knowledge could bring her closer to Alexander, and she wanted to help him.
But now, with their marriage falling apart, her dreams had shattered as well.
Her heart was filled with bitterness, but she knew she had to be strong. Ava stared at that figure, watching him take a few steps back and turn to leave.
She had once told Alexander that she liked finance, which was why she chose it. But now, at graduation, she admitted she never liked it.
Now that they were getting divorced, she could say anything except that she loved him.
Ava continued, "But I never regret it. Finance sounds like a complex and vast field with lots of data and complicated calculations, making it seem like a high-threshold profession requiring great talent! However, that's not necessarily the case. With the right approach, even ordinary people can understand what the Camel Rating System is. I'm grateful I chose this major. No matter the outcome, I'll always appreciate what I once had. Those experiences will lead me to a better future. Thank you."
Ava finished her speech and bowed to the audience.
After the applause died down, the principal spoke, "We have a special guest who has taken time out of his busy schedule to attend this award ceremony. He is Mr. Bennett, the primary shareholder of Rivershade University."
Another round of thunderous applause erupted from the audience. A young man in a sharp suit gracefully walked onto the stage, nodded slightly to everyone, and finally stood beside Ava.
Seeing him, Ava was a bit shocked. Wasn't he the gentleman she shared a table with at the restaurant a few days ago?
William, seeing her from the stage, was also somewhat surprised, but he didn't show it. He took the diploma from the principal.
Ava stepped forward, took the diploma, and bowed slightly, keeping her head down. The tassel on the right front of her graduation cap hung down.
Following tradition, William raised his hand and gently moved the tassel from the right front to the center front.
The ceremony was complete.
Ava lifted her head, about to express her gratitude, when she suddenly felt dizzy and stumbled to the side. William immediately reached out to support her, pulling her into his arms in a very intimate manner. "Are you okay? Are you not feeling well?"
Ava's vision blurred, and she could barely see the people below the stage.
