Only Close When I’m About to Lose You

He Will Never Love You

In the dining room.

Frederick and Leah sat side by side, with Harrison sitting across from them.

The couple ate their breakfast naturally and attentively, while Harrison fidgeted, his gaze constantly darting towards Leah.

Five minutes later.

Frederick put down his utensils and was the first to leave the dining room. Once the man's figure had completely disappeared, Harrison simply put down his chopsticks and openly stared at Leah across from him.

He looked her up and down.

Scrutinizing carefully.

Looking her over again and again.

Harrison lowered his voice and questioned, "Have you changed your strategy? The dull and wooden persona didn't work for two years, so now you're trying a new approach? Don't say I didn't warn you, no matter what method you try, you'll never win my brother's heart. He doesn't like you. You're just the nominal wife The Carter Family forced on him."

"In another two years, once we've dealt with those old fossils in the company and taken control of the core power, my brother will be the undisputed authority in the Carter Family. The first thing he'll do with that power is divorce you, slapping the faces of those old fools in the family with ulterior motives."

Leah sipped her soup.

She didn't say a word.

People in their circle only knew that The Carter Family had produced a business prodigy who had risen to the position of executive director in less than five years, and a single international project had increased CEG's market value tenfold.

That person was Frederick.

He was The Carter Family's long-lost son who had been found in London five years ago. He was also currently Alexander's favorite and the most promising heir to take over The Carter Family.

Before marrying Frederick, Leah only knew this much.

After marrying him.

Harrison had told her all these private matters.

Not getting along with certain people in the Carter Family.

Wanting to seize power, already controlling 85% and so on, Leah knew pretty much everything she should and shouldn't know. The key was that Harrison didn't seem to realize he had thoroughly revealed Frederick's secrets.

Just like now.

Harrison was still talking, having moved on to Frederick's three-month business trip to New York, the project content at the economic forum, and this year's target plans. He concluded with: "Leah, don't try to get anything from my brother, and don't even think about clinging to him."

Leah found him very noisy.

Clamorous.

She stopped drinking her soup and deliberately looked up behind him, calling out, "Mr. Carter?"

Hearing this, Harrison across from her turned pale with fright, immediately standing up and bowing his head to correct his form of address: "Sister-in-law."

He waited for two or three seconds.

There was no movement.

Harrison turned his head to find the space behind him completely empty; there was no one there at all. He got angry and turned back to yell at Leah, but before he could open his mouth, Leah called out to Holly who was entering: "Please clear the dishes."

"Yes, madam."

Leah stood up.

Holly came with the servants to clear the dishes, also taking away the barely touched meal in front of Harrison.

Harrison paused for a moment, reaching out to stop them: "I haven't finished eating!"

Leah stepped over, coming to stand in front of him, looking at him: "I thought you were full and had nothing better to do than talk constantly. Orchard View Villa doesn't cook meals twice. Stay hungry then, in another nine hours you can have dinner."

"You vicious woman!"

"Mr. Carter?"

"Leah, don't think you can fool me again. Don't think I wouldn't dare to hit you! You're just a Carter wife in name only. Don't really think I respect you or see you as a sister-in-law. You—"

"Harrison."

Frederick's cool voice came over. The moment he heard the voice, Harrison's raised shoulders immediately dropped, his barely ignited temper completely extinguished. He lowered his head at once, not daring to utter even half a word.

"What did you call her?"

"Sister-in-law." Harrison kept his head bowed tightly, quickly adding: "I'm sorry, sister-in-law. I didn't mean it. Please don't take offense."

Leah glanced at him without saying a word.

She walked forward, and as she passed Frederick, the man called out to her: "The Carter Family is having a dinner gathering today. Send me a message at 5:30 this afternoon, and I'll come pick you up."

They were husband and wife, needing to arrive at the Carter Family together.

Every time there was a family dinner, she would send the location information to Frederick in advance, he would then come to pick her up, and they would enter The Carter Family pretending to be a harmonious couple.

Regarding Frederick's words, Leah nodded: "Alright."

She left the dining room.

Soon after, a car was heard driving away from the courtyard. It was Leah leaving by car.

Listening to the rumble of the car, Harrison stood rooted to the spot like a statue, turning his head away, unwilling to look at his older brother beside him. Frederick wiped his hands, then handed a peeled sweet orange to him, "Still angry?"

Harrison puffed up like a pufferfish: "Bro, you're taking her side."

"What have I taught you?"

"A man should be broad-minded, polite, and well-mannered," Harrison mumbled.

"Then what are you angry about?"

"She tricked me!" Harrison looked up, indignant.

He was still young, having just turned nineteen, with an impulsive and rash temperament. Frederick looked at him and said, "If you can be tricked, it means your skills are inferior. You can lose at anything, but you can't lose your character."

Harrison fell silent.

He lowered his head, and as he walked out with Frederick, he broke off a few segments of the sweet orange and put them in his mouth. As he walked and ate, he said again: "Bro, don't you dislike Lea... sister-in-law too? Moreover, she's Quinlan's spy, sent to monitor you."

Wouldn't it be better if he was a bit harsher to Leah?

To vent some anger.

Frederick walked in front, his face expressionless: "She's a spy, but it's my ability to prevent her from obtaining confidential information. Similarly, she is my wife in the legal sense, and during our marriage, providing outward protection and respect is a husband's responsibility and obligation."

It has nothing to do with liking her.

This is the most basic moral baseline for being a person.

Being forced into marriage two years ago was because Frederick didn't have the power to resist, he could only endure and accept. If it wasn't Leah, it would have been another woman. He would have been arranged with someone regardless.

So, he wouldn't deliberately target Leah.

His predicament wasn't caused by one woman; it was because his accumulated capital wasn't enough yet. However, he would be wary of Leah, out of consideration for his own safety.

-

At a café.

Leah had hired a professional lawyer.

They had arranged to meet this morning to discuss, and based on the property details she provided, he had drafted a will: "Miss Evans, according to your wishes, all assets under your name will be donated to orphanage children after your death. I've also noted your emphasis that the money must be given directly to each child, without any intermediary organizations handling it. Please review it."

Leah took it with both hands.

She carefully reviewed it.

She nodded, indicating that she was very satisfied with this will: "Mr. Foster, when can we proceed with the signing and sealing?"

"If you have no objections to the will, I can submit the application to the law firm today. At the latest, we can invite professional third parties the day after tomorrow. Under their witness, we can record a video of you voluntarily signing the will, and then the will can take effect."

Leah: "Mm, then I'll wait for your call."

As soon as she finished speaking.

Leah's phone rang. She answered, and the person on the other end spoke urgently: "Is this Miss Evans? Please come to K.L Club as soon as possible. Your brother has injured someone!"