Colonel Rhodes really wanted to get rid of the case cuffed to his hand. He really wanted to join Alvin and the others in their revelry...
Those bastards really were partying, without the slightest awareness that they were supposed to be "scouting the place."
As the only "actor," Colonel Rhodes's performance was convincing because he was simply being himself.
A poor guy weighed down by priceless jewelry, whose owner didn't care—or didn't think anyone would dare try to steal it.
That feeling really stung. Even knowing he was only acting, Rhodes still felt hurt. He really was afraid the case might go missing while it was in his hands, because the things inside were genuinely valuable...
Seeing that nobody was paying attention to him, Rhodes opened the case. The two women keeping him company covered their mouths and cried out in surprise.
Light from the gorgeous crystal chandelier overhead fell on the contents, making them sparkle with dazzling colors.
Forty cut diamonds, each weighing at least five carats, were neatly nestled in the foam lining around the inside of the case.
Three black boards wrapped in velvet held three sets of diamond jewelry, each with a different style, but all equally gorgeous and exquisite.
Even Terry, who was used to seeing lavish jewelry, sucked in a breath at the terrifying size of the diamonds on the necklace pendants.
As eyes turned toward them at the women's startled cries, Terry reached out and shut the case, worth over a hundred million, perhaps even two hundred million. Looking at Rhodes, he said, "If I had a case like this, I'd be on edge too.
"Mr. Rhodes, I'll personally take you to the vault. Lock up the case and make a note of it. When you leave, it'll be returned to you."
Rhodes