Does a divorce take effect if a man says "I divorce her" meaning "I leave her to do as she pleases," and he was referring to his wife?

What the man said to his brother does not constitute a divorce of his wife. One should be wary of obsessive thoughts (waswasah) concerning divorce and other matters. Persisting in such obsessive thoughts opens a door for Satan to corrupt affairs. He should seek Allah's help, turn away from these whisperings, and focus on what benefits him in his religious and worldly life.