Chapter 3: The Rise of the Golden Enterprise, Love and Legacy
[Edited]
Chapter 3: The Rise of the Golden Enterprise, Love and Legacy
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January 1957 – New York City
It had taken a decade, but Chinatown—and beyond—was now under my control. The Golden Dragon Society had transformed from a street gang into a vast, structured organization that reached far beyond the shadows of the underworld. The biggest turning point? The foundation of Golden Enterprise, the legitimate face of our empire.
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~Eliminating the Threats (1947-1952)~
The first five years were a brutal struggle. The Rattlesnake Gang and other criminal factions had no intention of letting us rise without a fight. Every inch of territory we gained had to be taken with blood and fire.
By 1949, we had eliminated the Rattlesnake Gang. Their leadership was crushed, their operations dismantled, and their foot soldiers given a choice—join us or disappear. Some fled. The rest swore loyalty and were absorbed into our ranks.
However, taking over Chinatown was just the beginning. Other syndicates—Italian, Irish, and even remnants of the Rattlesnakes who regrouped under new names—challenged us. The battles lasted years, but by 1952, we had wiped out or assimilated every major threat.
In our territory, we enforced a strict code—no drugs, no human trafficking. Any outsider who tried was dealt with immediately. We controlled bars, clubs, liquor stores, jewelry shops, and antique trades, ensuring our people had stable businesses and the community thrived.
By the time I turned 25 in 1952, the Golden Dragon Society had become more than just an underworld power. We were a force shaping the city itself.
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~Building a Business Empire (1952-1957)~
With the streets under control, it was time to step into the world of legitimate business. We expanded into real estate, financing, a trusted lending companies that offered fair rates instead of the predatory schemes other groups pushed. Our brothels operated with strict regulations—only willing women, strict medical checkups, and absolute protection.
However, I wanted more than the underground economy. With my knowledge of alchemy and modern science, we began investing in industries that would define the future.
~Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals~
In 1953, we established Golden Health, a private hospital network dedicated to quality medical care, especially for Chinatown's neglected population. But the real breakthrough came when we founded Golden Pharmaceuticals in 1955.
Using alchemy and biotechnology, we developed potions—modern medicine enhanced with transmutation to accelerate healing and improve resistance to diseases. Unlike the traditional pharmaceutical industry, which took years to develop drugs, our process was faster, safer, and more effective. It didn't take long before hospitals and private buyers sought our products.
~Materials and Engineering~
While the pharmaceutical company was growing, I pushed into another sector—materials science. By 1956, we launched Golden Materials, a company that specializes in advanced metals. Through alchemical refinement, we produced alloys stronger and more shock-absorbent than anything on the market. One of our greatest achievements was a metal comparable to Adamantium and Vibranium—though not as unbreakable, it was significantly cheaper and easier to produce.
We soon found buyers in the aviation and naval industries. Fighter jets, warships, and armored vehicles—all sought after our materials.
~The Birth of Golden Enterprise (1957)~
With operations in pharmaceuticals, materials, real estate, and finance, it was time to consolidate everything under one name. In early 1957, Golden Enterprise was officially established—a conglomerate that controlled everything from medicine to industry, all backed by the iron discipline of the Golden Dragon Society.
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Proficiency Panel Update (1957)
Name: Edward Lin
Age: 30/85
[Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist)]
Alchemy Proficiency: 74% (Level: Advanced)
Transmutation: 80% (Level: Advanced)
Reinforcement: 75% (Level: Advanced)
Creation: 65% (Level: Advanced)
Physical Condition: Peak human Enhancement: (Enhanced through reinforcement)
Strength: Planetary Level
Status: Corporate Overlord
Mood: Ambitious
Wealth: Over $800 Million (Profits from Golden Enterprise and underground operations)
Property: Multiple estates, corporate offices, research labs, private hospitals, and industrial plants
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The world had changed in ten years. I was no longer just a gang leader. I was an industrialist, a scientist, a businessman.
And this was only the beginning.
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Spring 1957 – New York City
For the first time in years, my world slowed down.
Golden Enterprise was thriving. The gang wars were over, our rivals crushed, and our businesses flourished across multiple industries. We had money, power, and influence. But something was missing.
I had spent a decade building an empire, securing my future, ensuring that my name would be remembered. Yet, when I returned to my penthouse overlooking the city, it felt empty.
Then, I met her.
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~A Chance Encounter~
Her name was Evelyn Carter.
She was a doctor, working at one of the private hospitals we funded. I first saw her during an inspection of our medical facilities. She wasn't like the other professionals who worked for us—she had a sharp tongue and no patience for flattery.
"You're the mysterious benefactor?" she asked, arms crossed as she stared me down.
I smirked. "I prefer the term 'visionary businessman.'"
She scoffed. "I don't care what you call yourself, Mr. Lin. If you're serious about helping people, we need better funding for research, not just fancy buildings."
No one had spoken to me like that in years. I liked it.
Intrigued, I made it a habit to visit the hospital more often. At first, it was business. Then, it became personal. I learned that Evelyn was the daughter of a retired surgeon, a woman who had fought tooth and nail to establish herself in a male-dominated field. She was brilliant, ambitious, and had a heart bigger than the empire I had built.
We spent months arguing about medical advancements, debating ethics, and discussing the future. Slowly, those conversations turned into late-night dinners, then quiet walks through Central Park.
I had faced bullets, betrayal, and bloodshed. But love? Love was uncharted territory.
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~A Year of Love~
For the first time, I allowed myself to enjoy life beyond business. Evelyn and I spent a year together, and it was the happiest I had ever been.
She kept me grounded. While I expanded Golden Enterprise, she kept me focused on using our resources for something greater. We invested more in medical research, pushed biotech advancements, and opened free clinics for the underprivileged.
"You're not just a businessman, Edward," she told me one evening as we sat on the rooftop of my penthouse, watching the city lights. "You have the power to change lives."
I had spent so long chasing power that I had forgotten what it could be used for.
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~The Proposal~
One year after our first meeting, I took her to an exclusive gala, a grand event where New York's elite gathered. As we danced under the chandeliers, I pulled her close.
"Marry me," I whispered.
She laughed softly. "Is that how you propose? No ring, no grand speech?"
I pulled a small velvet box from my pocket and opened it, revealing a ring crafted from an alchemically enhanced diamond. It shimmered with an ethereal glow, a testament to what I had built.
She gasped. "Edward…"
I cupped her face, looking into those deep, intelligent eyes that had captivated me from the start. "You changed my world, Evelyn. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled. "Yes."
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~A New Beginning~
Our wedding was a grand affair, attended by politicians, business tycoons, and close allies. Yet, despite the extravagance, it was the simplest moment that mattered most—when I saw Evelyn walking down the aisle, radiant in white and knew that my life had finally found balance.
The marriage didn't slow us down. If anything, it made us stronger. We continued to expand, not just in business but in philanthropy. The Golden Enterprise hospitals became the most advanced in the country, and our biotech research made groundbreaking discoveries.
Then, in 1959, another milestone changed my life forever.
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~The Birth of William Lin~
The night Evelyn went into labor was the first time in years that I felt true fear.
I paced outside the delivery room, my mind racing. I had built an empire, survived countless threats, and secured our future. But none of that mattered in that moment.
Hours passed before a nurse finally emerged, smiling. "Congratulations, Mr. Lin. You have a healthy baby boy."
Relief flooded me as I rushed inside. Evelyn lay exhausted but smiling, cradling a tiny bundle in her arms.
"Meet your son," she murmured, looking up at me. "William Lin."
I swallowed hard, gazing down at the small, fragile life in her arms. My legacy wasn't just an empire. It was this—my family.
As I held my son for the first time, I knew that everything I had built, everything I had fought for, was for him.
And I would ensure that the world he grew up in would be one where the name Lin meant more than just power—it meant hope.
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[Proficiency Panel Update]
Name: Edward Lin
Age: 32/85
[Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist)]
Alchemy Proficiency: 77% (Level: Advanced)
Transmutation: 83% (Level: Master)
Reinforcement: 78% (Level: Advanced)
Creation: 70% (Level: Advanced)
Physical Condition: Peak Human
Enhancement: (Enhanced through alchemical reinforcement)
Strength: Planetary Level
Status: Patriarch of the Lin Family
Mood: Very Happy
Wealth: Estimated Net Worth: 3.5 Billion USD (Owner of Golden Enterprise)
Property: Private estates, corporate buildings, hospitals, research facilities, and manufacturing plants
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I was no longer just the founder of Golden Enterprise.
I was a husband. A father.
And this was only the beginning.
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To be continued...