Fired by AI, Hired by Karma

Florin was thrilled.

"Starting today, our efficiency is going to skyrocket! Our AI employee is officially online. Let's all give it a warm welcome!"

The office filled with applause.

I sneered to myself, picked up my box of belongings, and walked away.

"Wait! Ms. Lyttle, please step out for a moment."

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, security guard Cole Wollacott stuck his arm between them.

"What is it?" I asked with a frown.

Another security guard explained, "Mr. Stretton instructed us to make one final check before you leave. We need to make sure you aren't taking anything that belongs to the company."

I tightened my grip on the edge of the box.

"I already completed the handoff. Every piece of company property has been accounted for."

Mary squeezed between the two guards. "That's only on the surface. How do we know you didn't secretly take something?"

Florin walked over behind her and gave the order. "Search her."

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the elevator, set my box on the floor, and raised my hands.

"Fine. Go ahead."

I just wanted to leave as quickly as possible. I didn't want to stay in this place for another second.

Mary walked over and circled around me.

Florin spoke up from the side, "Please hand over your phone. The IT department will inspect it and return it afterward."

I handed him my phone.

Mary took it and passed it to another security guard behind her, Jack Lowry. "Take this to IT and have them make a complete backup."

Then she started throwing everything out of my box.

She picked up my keyboard and slammed it onto the floor.

The keycaps scattered everywhere.

"My keyboard..." I stepped forward.

A security guard grabbed my arms from behind, keeping me from moving.

It was the first keyboard my grandfather had ever bought me before he passed away. I had treasured it ever since.

"Let me go!" I shouted, my voice hoarse.

Florin remained calm. "Ms. Lyttle, please calm down. This is just a routine inspection. If you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about."

"There's nothing here." Mary shook her head at Florin in disappointment.

Then she suddenly asked, "What about inside your pants?"

I froze.

"What?"

She replied calmly, "You could be hiding something inside your pant legs, your waistband, or your cuffs. We're both women. What's the problem?"

I gritted my teeth. "Then call the police and let them handle it."

Florin waved his hand. "That's enough. The search is over."

Mary curled her lip and stomped hard on my keyboard.

A dull crack echoed through the lobby.

"You..." I was shaking with anger.

Florin spread his hands. "Ms. Lyttle, this is standard company procedure. I hope you understand."

Mary smirked. "Oh, and don't forget to clean up all this trash. Don't leave a mess in the company."

My heart ached as I looked at my broken keyboard.

I glared at them.

"I won't let either of you get away with this."

Florin let out a dismissive laugh, wrapped an arm around Mary's shoulders, and walked away.

I carefully picked up every single keycap from the floor, my anger burning even hotter.

It wouldn't be long before I got my revenge.

The next day, I spent a relaxing day at home.

Tomorrow was the Fourth of July Sale. The event would officially begin at 8:00 p.m. tonight.

It was one of the biggest shopping events of the year. It pushed servers to their limits and was the day every system was at its most vulnerable.

It was also the moment my trap would explode with the greatest impact.

Just after 8:00 p.m., I finished taking a shower and found my phone filled with missed calls.

I randomly answered one of them. The person on the other end sounded panicked. "Ms. Lyttle, something terrible has happened!"