They Thought AI Could Replace Me, Then I Took Everything

Chapter 1

Tracy Taylor's smile faltered for the briefest moment before turning even more arrogant. "For executive pickups, nothing tops a Cullinan. It's the only ride worthy of VIPs. At least you know your Maybach isn't in the same league. Besides, I booked it through AI. It'll prove to our guests that we're modern and know how to use cutting-edge technology."

The executives were quick to sing her praises.

"Gen Z really knows how to think outside the box."

"Who knew Tracy had both the looks and the brains? She hasn't even been here three months, and she's already making Laura look ordinary."

"Tracy's finally taking down Laura's monopoly. This is going to be interesting."

"How so?"

"Laura bought a Maybach years ago and used it to lock down all the company's VIP pickups. Since then, every major client has gone through her. She's been feasting while the rest of us barely got the leftovers."

"I'm rooting for Gen Z to shake things up. Maybe we'll finally get our share."

Their jealous comments only made me add more names to my list. Since none of them were innocent, I would make sure they all paid the price.

I had spent five years carrying the entire Sales Department on my back. In the early days, I negotiated deals over drinking sessions. One client casually laughed and said, "One more drink, 10,000 more order volume." I poured down ten glasses without hesitation. I drank until my stomach started bleeding, and I still landed the deal.

Another client casually mentioned wanting a limited edition item from a certain brand. I searched for it for three straight months and personally delivered it to his office without bringing up business once. He later came to me on his own and signed the order.

The VIP visiting us this time, Vincent Brooks, had once been trapped in a brutal family power struggle. His opponents dug up a mistake and used it to attack him from every direction. Just before he lost everything, I stepped in and claimed responsibility as the third party involved, saving his position. The company publicly reprimanded me for it and withheld my annual bonus.

Vincent came out on top and took complete control of the company. After that, he awarded me contracts worth tens of millions.

He once invited me to a private dinner and said, "I've become the group's president, so plenty of people are willing to celebrate my success. But I'll always remember that you stood beside me when I had nothing."

Those executives dreamed big but never wanted to get their hands dirty. They resented the commissions I earned, yet none of them had the nerve to do the work I did. Instead, they expected Tracy, a rookie fresh out of college, to use AI to knock me off my throne without breaking a sweat.

In their dreams!

"What are you smiling at?" my boss, Tony Lawson, asked, his eyes filled with suspicion.

Realizing he'd been a little too obvious, he instantly put on a polished smile.

"Laura, you've been here since day one, and you're the veteran around here. I'm sure you wouldn't mind helping the younger staff, right? You've been the one taking care of Vincent every year, so you should tell them everything about what he likes and what he can't stand. Once these young people can handle it themselves, the rest of us won't have to work so hard."

That fake smile made my skin crawl. I lowered my head and pretended to read a message, making sure he couldn't see the disgust in my eyes. Tony had been my college classmate. I used to borrow his notes all the time, and I always felt I owed him one.

Five years earlier, when Tony launched his company, I begged my uncle to rent him an empty office building at a price far below market value. The rent never increased once.

By the end of the second year, Tony accepted a ridiculous request from a client to deliver the goods before getting paid just to lock in a huge order. I borrowed the money for the raw materials from my uncle and fronted every cent.

In the third year, the company was so strapped for cash that it couldn't even make payroll. I mortgaged one of my properties, took out a loan, and lent him the money interest free.

Whenever he burst into my office drenched in sweat, he would gasp, "We're screwed. This deal's about to collapse."

I would rush out to find people, pull strings, and chase down every possible solution to keep the company afloat. And now that the business was finally thriving, the friend I had backed with everything I had not only wanted me out of the way, but also planned to ruin me with the lowest tactics imaginable.

When I didn't respond, Tracy shot to her feet and deliberately raised her voice.

"Laura, are you trying to figure out how to trip us up? You washed up middle-aged office dinosaurs just can't stand seeing young people get ahead. Haven't you been using your luxury car to keep the company under your thumb? Well, I rented something even better. So what now? You're not the only one who can pick up VIPs anymore."

She had the AI read the rental contract aloud, then waved her phone in front of Tony. "Tony, listen. Origin AI guaranteed that if the Cullinan doesn't show up on time, it'll pay a thousand times the rental fee."

The Cullinan rented for $20,000 a day. That meant the compensation would be $20 million. Just picturing Tracy throwing a fit, crying, and demanding that payout from the platform was hilarious. If that ever made the news, it would probably become the biggest joke of the year.

I almost burst out laughing.

"Laura!" The smile on my face finally made Tony drop his fake kindness. "Vincent's visit is tied to two hundred million in revenue for the second half of the year. I won't allow anyone to mess this up. You'd better cooperate with Tracy in every possible way. Don't leave out a single detail, and don't even think about pulling anything behind our backs. Understood?"

So he finally quit pretending.

"Tony," I swallowed my anger and kept my voice as steady as possible, "I've already organized every VIP client's file and uploaded them all to the company system."

I met his eyes without flinching. "The only thing I can still help with is driving and greeting the guests. Are you sure you want Vincent to run into me?"

After a few seconds, Tony couldn't stand the undisguised sarcasm in my eyes. His face darkened with humiliation and anger as he turned to Tracy. "Since you're taking charge of the VIP reception, your position should reflect that. Effective immediately, you're the new Sales Director. Laura, from now on, all your work will be arranged by Tracy."

I laughed. It turned out people could still laugh when they were furious beyond words.

I rose from my seat. "The Sales Department has always worked the same way. Titles only reflect seniority. They don't create reporting lines. I still have other clients to look after, so I'm going back to work."

With that, I pushed open the door and walked out without a second glance.