"Quantum processing is part of it's architecture, yes," Madison confirmed. "Though the specifics are proprietary. Quantum Tech doesn't share technical details about their AI development, and Liberation Holdings respects that confidentiality."

That was our standard deflection whenever anyone asked too many questions about ARIA. Blame it on quantum computing—a field so bleeding-edge and mathematically complex that most people nodded and stopped asking questions rather than admit they didn't understand.

"I want in," Elise said suddenly, her voice cutting through the technical discussion like a knife through European banking protocols. "Gold tier. Five hundred million. Where do I sign?"

Madison and Amanda exchanged glances—perfectly choreographed, like they'd rehearsed it.

"Mrs. Montclair," Amanda said carefully, her smile warm but her eyes calculating, "we appreciate your enthusiasm, but Liberation Funds doesn't operate on a first-come, first-served basis. There's an evaluation process."

"Evaluation?" Elise's elegant composure cracked slightly. "I run one of the largest private banks in US. My personal net worth exceeds three billion. What exactly needs evaluating?"

"Your discretion!" Madison said simply. Two words that landed like verbal bombs. "Your understanding of operational security. Your ability to not ask questions that could compromise proprietary methodologies. Gold-tier clients receive significant access to Liberation Holdings' internal operations. That requires trust."

The words hung in the air like a test.

Elise straightened, her banker's instincts kicking in. "I understand. Confidentiality is paramount in private banking. My clients trust me with billions precisely because I know when to stop asking questions."

"Then we'll schedule a formal evaluation meeting," Amanda said, her smile returning. "Bring documentation of your liquid assets, references from existing financial institutions, and a comprehensive overview of your investment philosophy. We'll review everything and make a determination within seventy-two hours."

"And if I'm approved?"

"Then you'll receive a QT-7 device, priority allocation codes, and direct communication access with our executive team." Madison gestured toward the far end of the ballroom, where a small display area had been set up. "In the meantime, we have several units available for hands-on experience if you'd like to see the technology firsthand."

Elise's eyes lit up like someone had just offered her the Holy Grail and a dividend statement. "I would. Very much."

They moved toward the display area, their conversation fading into the general ballroom noise.

I remained in the shadows, watching.

Perfect.

**

Amanda commanded the center of the ballroom like it was her fucking throne room.

She'd claimed the space beneath the largest chandelier and surrounded herself with twelve people arranged in a loose semicircle.

A tech CEO whose face I recognized from Forbes covers. Two hedge fund managers in matching navy suits. Someone who looked Saudi or Emirati based on the traditional thobe beneath his tailored jacket.

A woman in black silk who radiated Silicon Valley money.

Amanda was demonstrating a QT-7, the holographic display floating in the air between her and her audience like magic made corporate.

Financial data. Trading algorithms. Real-time market feeds and the in-built AI (AR,NuN, but better than the public one). All presented with the kind of casual expertise that made it clear this wasn't a sales pitch.

This was education.

"—which is why conventional hedge funds are fundamentally limited," Amanda was saying, her voice carrying that particular confidence. "They're operating with technology and methodologies from five, ten, fifteen years ago. Even the best algorithmic trading systems that are way too old."

"And Liberation Funds isn't?" the tech CEO asked, skepticism clear.

"Liberation Funds operates with AI, you guys have seen the new Quantum AI and what It can do, you've seen reviews and I know most of you have purchased our chips and used them," Amanda replied simply. "But the one we use is an artificial intelligence system that doesn't just analyze markets—but predicts them with accuracy that borders on prescient."

She gestured at the holographic display, pulling up a real-time feed showing market movements across multiple exchanges.

"Watch."

For thirty seconds, nobody spoke.

Then the tech CEO's eyes widened. "You're—that's—you're front-running trades before they hit the exchange."

"We're not front-running," Amanda corrected calmly. "Front-running is illegal and requires knowledge of pending orders. We're predicting market movements based on quantum-level pattern analysis. Our AI models probability waves across thousands of variables simultaneously, sees patterns that won't emerge into observable data for seconds or minutes. By the time conventional algorithms react, we're already positioned."

"That's..." The Saudi investor leaned forward, his English carrying Oxford polish. "That's essentially a license to print money."

Amanda's smile was radiant. "Yes. Yes, it is."

The honesty was brutal and perfect.

"Which is why we're selective about our clients," Amanda continued. "If we took money from everyone who wanted to invest, we'd quickly exceed AI's operational capacity. The returns would decline. Performance would suffer. So we maintain strict limits—forty total clients across all tiers, four hundred million minimum daily operational cap. Quality over quantity."

But what did they know, to tier ARIA you'd need at least hundreds of trillions if not thousands which no one had, at least not openly to trade with.

"But you said the cap will increase," the Silicon Valley woman said, her brain clearly seeing the trajectory.

"Eventually, yes. Though even then, we'll maintain client limits. Part of what makes Liberation Funds valuable is exclusivity. The knowledge that you're one of forty people globally who has access to this level of performance."

"Forty people," one of the hedge fund managers repeated. "Currently at how many platinum?"

"Three," Amanda replied.

"I want platinum," the Saudi investor said suddenly. "My business has been exploring investment opportunities in quantum computing and artificial intelligence. If Liberation Holdings is involved in these sectors through Quantum Tech, that alignment is valuable beyond mere returns."

Amanda's smile widened. "We'd be very interested in discussing a platinum partnership with a sovereign wealth fund. Though I should mention—platinum tier requires more than capital. It requires discretion, strategic alignment, and long-term commitment to Liberation Holdings' vision."

"Which is?"

"To revolutionize global finance through advanced technology. To create tools and systems that don't just predict markets but shape them. To build an empire that operates beyond conventional regulatory frameworks while remaining technically legal."

The last part was said so casually that it almost slipped past. Technically legal.

But they heard it.

And their eyes lit up.

"I will need to consult with my board investment committee," the Saudi said carefully. "But I am personally very interested in platinum partnership. If all goes well, I will put a word for you in our government. My family will, at least, hahahaha!"

"Excellent." Amanda pulled up a contact interface on her holographic display. "Provide your secure contact information. We'll schedule a formal presentation within your favourable schedule."

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