He Will Never Love You
1306 Words
Dining Room
Frederick and Leah sat side by side, while Harrison sat across from them.
The couple ate their breakfast naturally, without unnecessary conversation. Meanwhile, Harrison fidgeted restlessly, his gaze constantly drifting toward Leah.
Five minutes later, Frederick put down his utensils and left the dining room first.
The moment his figure completely disappeared, Harrison set down his chopsticks and brazenly stared at Leah.
Sizing her up.
Studying her carefully.
His gaze swept over her again and again.
Lowering his voice, he sneered, “So you’ve changed your game plan? Two years of acting like the dull, submissive wife didn’t work, so now you’re trying a different persona? Don’t say I didn’t warn you—no matter what tricks you try, you will never win Frederick’s heart. He doesn’t like you. You’re nothing more than *The Carter Family’s* nominal wife, a pawn they planted by his side.”
“In another two years, once we’ve dealt with those old fossils in the company and secured full control, Frederick will be the undisputed leader of *The Carter Family*. And the first thing he’ll do with that power is divorce you—publicly humiliating those scheming elders in the family.”
Leah sipped her soup.
She didn’t respond.
People in their social circles only knew that *The Carter Family* had produced a business genius—one who climbed to the CEO position in under five years and skyrocketed CEG’s market value tenfold with a single international project.
That man was Frederick.
He was the long-lost son that *The Carter Family* retrieved from London five years ago, and currently, Alexander Carter’s most favored and most promising heir.
Before marrying Frederick, that was all Leah knew about him.
After marriage—
Everything else, including the family’s internal power struggles, was spilled to her by Harrison.
Their faction was at odds with certain members of *The Carter Family*.
They sought to consolidate power—already controlling 85% of the business. Leah knew everything she should and shouldn’t know. The irony was that Harrison never seemed to realize just how much he had let slip about Frederick’s secrets.
Just like now—
Harrison kept talking, revealing details about Frederick’s three-month business trip to New York, his economic forum projects, and this year’s strategic plans. He finally concluded with, “Leah, don’t even think about getting anything from Frederick, and forget about latching onto him.”
Leah found him noisy.
Annoying.
She paused mid-sip, lifted her eyes with deliberate ease, and gazed past him before calling out, “*Mr. Carter?*”
At those words, Harrison’s face turned pale with shock. He jumped to his feet, instantly bowing his head and correcting his posture.
Two or three seconds passed.
No response.
Harrison hesitated, then slowly turned his head. Behind him—nothing. The space was completely empty.
Realizing he’d been tricked, his face darkened, and he snapped back at Leah, but before he could say anything, she called out to Holly, who had just entered, “Clear the table.”
“Yes, madam.”
Leah stood up.
Holly and the maids stepped forward, swiftly removing the dishes—including the barely touched plate in front of Harrison.
Harrison paused, reaching out to stop them. “Wait, I haven’t finished eating!”
Leah moved past him, stopping just as she reached his side. She met his gaze and said, “Oh? I assumed you were full. Since you had enough energy to talk nonstop.”
She took a step back and added indifferently, “No worries. Just stay hungry—only nine more hours until dinner.”
“You vicious woman!”
“*Mr. Carter??*”
“Leah, don’t think you can fool me! You think I actually respect you? You’re just a *Carter* in name! I swear—”
“Harrison.”
A cool, measured voice interrupted.
At that moment, Harrison’s shoulders tensed, his barely ignited temper extinguishing immediately. His posture straightened, his head lowered. He didn’t dare make another sound.
Frederick’s gaze was unreadable as he asked, “Care to repeat that?”
Harrison kept his head down, immediately correcting himself, “I’m sorry, Leah. I didn’t mean it. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Leah gave him a brief glance but said nothing.
As she turned to leave, Frederick called out to her, “There’s a *Carter Family* gathering today. Text me your location at 5:30 PM—I’ll pick you up.”
As husband and wife, they were expected to arrive together.
Every time *The Carter Family* held a gathering, Leah would send Frederick her location beforehand, and he would pick her up. They’d then pretend to be a harmonious couple in front of the family.
Without hesitation, Leah nodded. “Alright.”
She exited the dining room.
Not long after, the sound of a car engine roared to life. Leah had driven off.
Standing in place, Harrison refused to look at Frederick, his face sulking like a scolded child.
Frederick wiped his hands and handed Harrison a peeled orange slice. “Still mad?”
Harrison puffed up like an angry pufferfish. “Brother, you took her side.”
“What have I taught you?”
Harrison grumbled, “A man should be broad-minded, polite, and well-mannered.”
“Then what are you angry about?”
“She tricked me!” Harrison lifted his head, looking indignant.
He was still young, barely nineteen, with a rash and impulsive temperament.
Frederick glanced at him and said, “If she managed to fool you, it means you’re not skilled enough. You can lose many things—but never your integrity.”
Harrison fell silent.
He lowered his head as they walked out. While munching on the orange slices, he mumbled, “But you don’t like her, do you? Besides, she’s Quinlan’s spy, sent to monitor you.”
Shouldn’t he treat Leah harshly?
Take out his frustrations on her?
Frederick walked ahead, his expression unchanged. “She’s a spy, but it’s my responsibility to ensure she gains nothing of value. That said, she is legally my wife. And as long as this marriage stands, it’s my duty to offer her public respect and protection.”
It wasn’t about love.
It was the most basic moral bottom line.
Two years ago, he had no power to resist the marriage. He could only endure. If it wasn’t Leah, it would have been another woman. Either way, his marriage had always been predetermined.
So, he never saw a need to make things difficult for Leah.
His real challenge wasn’t a woman—it was that his accumulated capital was still not enough. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be wary of Leah. That was simply a matter of self-preservation.
—
#### **Café**
Leah met with a professional lawyer that morning.
The lawyer reviewed the financial documents she had provided and prepared a will. “According to your request, upon your passing, all your assets will be donated to an orphanage. You specifically instructed that the funds must be directly distributed to the children, without any intermediaries. I’ve noted this clause—please review it.”
Leah took the document with both hands.
She read through it carefully.
Satisfied, she nodded and asked, “When can we proceed with signing and notarizing?”
“If you have no objections, I will submit the application to the firm today. At the latest, by the day after tomorrow, we can arrange for a third-party witness to record a video of you signing the will, ensuring its validity.”
Leah responded, “Alright, I’ll wait for your call.”
Just then—
Her phone rang.
She picked up, and an urgent voice on the other end spoke, “Is this Leah? Please come to K.L Club immediately—your brother, Graham, got into a fight and seriously injured someone!”
- Writer
