He recognized the emblem.
His face suddenly changed.
"I've seen that before."
Ryan looked at him.
"Where?"
The friend swallowed.
"Online."
He pointed at the medal.
"That's the national martial arts championship medal."
The cafeteria became silent.
Ryan looked back at Emily.
"No way."
Emily put the medal back into her backpack.
"People don't usually recognize me."
Ryan laughed again, but this time there was uncertainty in his voice.
"So you're saying you're some kind of fighter?"
Emily shook her head.
"No."
She zipped her backpack closed.
"I'm saying I don't want to fight anyone."
That answer confused everyone.
Ryan stepped forward again.
"You expect me to believe that?"
Emily looked at him.
"I don't need you to believe me."
Then the cafeteria doors opened.
A man in a dark suit walked inside.
He was in his forties, with short hair and a serious expression.
Several students turned toward him.
He didn't look at Ryan.
He didn't look at the teachers.
His eyes immediately found Emily.
He walked across the cafeteria.
With every step, the room became quieter.
Ryan moved aside.
The man stopped several feet away from Emily.
"Emily."
She looked at him.
"Mr. Carter?"
The man nodded.
"I'm here for you."
Ryan looked confused.
"Who are you?"
The man didn't answer him.
Instead, he looked at Emily's arm.
There were red marks where Ryan had grabbed her.
His expression became serious.
"Did someone hurt you?"
Emily shook her head.
"I'm fine."
The man looked toward Ryan.
Ryan suddenly became uncomfortable.
"What?"
The man took a small identification card from his pocket.
"I think you should leave her alone."
Ryan crossed his arms.
"And who are you to tell me that?"
The man looked at him.
"My name is Daniel Carter."
The cafeteria became even quieter.
Emily looked down.
Daniel continued.
"I'm Emily's father."
Ryan's face changed.
But Daniel wasn't finished.
"I'm also the director of the National Youth Martial Arts Program."
Several students gasped.
Someone whispered his name.
Another student immediately searched for him on a phone.
Suddenly, everyone understood why Emily had that medal.
Daniel looked at the food scattered across the floor.
Then he looked at Ryan.
"What happened?"
Ryan pointed at Emily.
"She dropped it."
Daniel looked at him for several seconds.
"No."
His voice was calm.
"She didn't."
Ryan's friends stopped laughing.
Daniel looked around the cafeteria.
"I don't care who is popular here. I don't care who has the most followers, the best grades, or the strongest friends."
He paused.
"What matters is how you treat people who cannot give you anything in return."
Nobody spoke.
Emily quietly walked toward the fallen tray.
Daniel stopped her.
"I'll handle it."
He bent down and began collecting the scattered food.
That surprised everyone.
A man who was clearly important was picking food off the cafeteria floor.
Emily watched him.
"Dad..."
Daniel smiled slightly.
"It's okay."
He stood up.
Then he looked at Ryan.
"You owe her an apology."
Ryan's face became red.
"Seriously?"
Daniel nodded.
"Seriously."
Ryan looked around.
Everyone was watching him.
His friends were no longer laughing.
The phones were still recording.
Finally, Ryan looked at Emily.
"I'm sorry."
Emily didn't respond immediately.
Then she nodded.