A borough for your heart

The sun was just peeking over the Manhattan skyline as Logan Westbrook stepped out of the backseat of his sleek black Town Car. At only 28 years old, he was already one of the youngest billionaires in the world, having taken over the reins of his father's real estate empire, Westbrook Holdings.

As Logan straightened his navy suit jacket and ran a hand through his tousled brown hair, his driver Carlos held the door to the gleaming glass high-rise that was Westbrook Tower – the crown jewel and global headquarters of the family's vast collection of properties and developments.

"Thank you, Carlos. I'll be heading straight up to the office," Logan said with a polite nod. He didn't have time for idle chit-chat today – he was steeling himself for battle. Ever since his father Jack had semi-retired to their private island in the Bahamas last year, Logan's two older brothers Marcus and Cole had been vying for control of the company. Bitter power struggles and backroom deals had eroded the once-strong family bond. Logan dreaded the prospect of an all-out war breaking out between the three of them over who would become the permanent CEO and chairman.

As the elevator rocketed upwards, Logan reviewed his strategy. He was determined to take the high road, banking on his proven leadership abilities and business acumen to sway the board in his favor at today's critical meeting. If his brothers wanted to play dirty...so be it. He would show grace under pressure.

The elevator dinged open on the top executive floor, and Logan strode down the marble hallway towards the boardroom, his wingtip shoes clicking purposefully. His executive assistant Lila was waiting with a piping hot cup of Kona coffee.

"Good morning, sir. I've got your notes and projections prepped for the meeting," the strawberry blonde said, falling into step besides Logan's long stride.

"Thank you, Lila. Anywords from Marcus or Cole's camps this morning?" Logan took a fortifying sip of the rich coffee.

Lila shook her head. "Radio silence from both of them so far today, but I'm sure they'll be bringing their A-games."

Logan's jaw tensed. "We'll just see about that..."

As they neared the boardroom, raised voices could already be heard echoing from within. Logan shouldered open the heavy double doors to find Marcus and Cole already seated, both of their expensive Italian suits looking rumpled and ties askew. "Well, well, if it isn't the little brother finally joining us," Marcus sneered, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Logan. At 35, he was arrogant and brash, with a shock of prematurely silver hair. "Fashionably late as always, I see."

Logan chose not to take the bait, simply taking his seat at the head of the long obsidian table. "Let's try to maintain a certain degree of professionalism and decorum here, shall we?"

"Oh get off your high horse," Cole chimed in with an oily chuckle. At 32, he often played the part of Marcus's lapdog, never quite thinking for himself. "We all know how you've been angling to take Father's chair for yourself."

"Enough of the sibling bickering already," Logan stated firmly, signaling for Lila to queue up his presentation on the huge flatscreen monitors. "The numbers speak for themselves..."

As he launched into his speech outlining his progressive vision for the company's future, the double doors swung open once more with a bang. Logan's breath caught in his throat as a young woman came storming in, her fiery red curls bouncing and green eyes flashing. "I'm here for my interview, where do you want me?" she announced boldly, sweeping her defiant gaze across the assembled men.

Logan was the first to recover. "I'm afraid you must be mistaken, miss...this is a private board meeting-"

"Oh, don't give me that runaround!" The redhead planted her hands on her hips, radiating confidence despite her simple white blouse and black skirt combo. "I was told to come here for my final interview at 9 AM for the Acquisitions Manager position."

Lila quickly stepped in, her face flushed. "Ms. Campbell, I'm so sorry, there seems to have been a mixup with the scheduling..."

"Yeah, a mixup of you incompetent people royally wasting my morning," the woman scoffed, somehow managing to look even more irritated.

Logan was momentarily thrown off balance –– he couldn't recall the last time someone had spoken to him with such little regard. After growing up unfathomably wealthy, people generally treated him with the utmost deference. And yet...he found himself begrudgingly impressed by this woman's confidence and zeal, misplaced as it might be right now.

"Excuse me, miss...?" he asked firmly, standing up to face her directly.

"Ava. Ava Campbell," she stated, meeting his gaze head-on with a challenging stare. "And I didn't hike across town in these godforsaken heels just to be dismissed like some peasant."

Logan struggled to keep his expression neutral. "Well, Ms. Campbell, I'm afraid this particular interview will have to be rescheduled for another time. We are in the middle of a highly sensitive board meeting regarding succession plans for Westbrook Holdings, but I assure you that you will be given a fair shot at the role."

Ava just blinked at him, seemingly unimpressed. "Wait...Westbrook Holdings? As in the biggest multibillion real estate company in the world? This place?!"

She turned her incredulous stare from Marcus to Cole and finally let it settle on Logan, giving him an extreme onceover as if truly seeing him for the first time. Logan suddenly felt exposed under the weight of her penetrating gaze. Her lush lips parted slightly as her expression morphed into one of sheepish realization.

"Oh...oh shit."