Author notes: Yep, I binged watched.

Seoul, South Korea - Seoul Administrative Court

Lee Jun-ho rushes to Court Room 214 for the latest Hanbada case, a land rights case between the Korean diplomat Chae Sung Hee and the French Company Trinity Lumber. It seemed to be a clear-cut case; however, the initial negotiation was in French. Trinity Lumber contested the translation and interpretation. Calling for an expert translator ended after months of bickering between them, and both agreed on the two companies to translate the document during meetings.

The room of dark panel and beige trim has tables within a U formation. Kwon Min-Woo and Jung Myeong-Seok, representing Hanbada and Chae Sung Hee, sat opposite the lawyers representing the Law firm of Grynwajc and Channing, Denes Barreau, and Marion Dresden and the client CEO of Trinity Lumber, Mael Levesque. The gentlemen settling in the middle represent the translators from Pygri Communications, Choi Young Sik and Jinhan Clarity, and Kowk David.

Negotiations become stilted as clients squabble over minor translation details. Just as tension comes to a head between the lawyers, the door opens, admitting Jun-ho and an unknown female of African heritage. Clad in a high waist light blue long skirt, tucked in pink blouse with an open long light blue cardigan sweater does very little to hide her curves. Her hair was swept into a bun with traditional silver and jade Dwikkoji hair pins complementing her silver jewelry. Although her makeup is muted, she starkly contrasts the rest of the dark suits. Ignoring the clients and lawyers, she hands him her computer as she walks towards the translators.

The once scowling Mael stares in surprise as the rest of the lawyers size up the new player.

Quickly Jun-ho set up the projector as Young Sik stands, pulling out the chair next to him for the woman as he introduces her, "Gentlemen, this my Director Cosette Mastronomoco." She hands him multiple padfolios to distribute to the clients, then hands one to the other translator.

Settling between her male counterparts opens the padfolio, "Now, from my understanding, there seems to be an issue with the parcel of land that was once called 'land of thunder.' located within the Jijang Valley." Each contesting party nods in agreement.

"Good, then I will get to the point of this issue. The submitted documents from House of Chae and Trinity Lumber are part of a long investigation of a forgery ring during the annexation of 1910."

Jun-ho nods, singling the smartboard is ready.

"Lights."

The image of the original deed with the imperial seal and family seal. Using the laser pointer, Cosette begins explaining her findings. "The first image has multiple documents of land deeds. The first has the Joseon imperial seal of the 1800s, and the second is from 1902. The next slide of the examination of the official seals. It was concluded the official government seals are vastly different than the ones on the land deed. Thus, a huge red flag. Next, as you see, the original deed secured status for three families Gim, Seong, and Noe. Upon the conclusion of the occupation in 1945, the land deeds were transferred from the old Joseon government to the Japanese."

The next slide is grainy, however, legible. "The second deed now only has one family name, Seong."

The next series of slides show different historical records with official seals, "After tracing through historical records, the land was redistributed between four sons, the oldest married the last daughter of the Gim family, which were neighbors of the Noe family. Thus, absorbed all the Gim family holdings and land rights. Red flag number two. All holdings, including all managed land, were sold by the Seong family to pay off a huge debt in 1972. The Noe family disappeared during the occupation and was thought to be lost; however, they returned in 1973. Noe means 'Thunder.' Hence the translation 'land of thunder' was correct but easily misinterpreted. Red flag numbers three and four. So to conclude this quick history lesson. Neither does Mr. Chae nor Trinity Lumber has rights to the land."

"Lights." Jun-ho turns the lights on and begins disabling her computer from the smartboard. "Are there any questions?" All look a little gobsmacked. "I understand this is a wealth of knowledge." Pointing to Yong Sik, with a demure smile, "Mr Choi is here to answer your questions."

Flushed and indignant, Chae sneers, "How do we know this isn't fabricated? I never heard of your company. How do we know you have the needed credentials for this type of work?"

She slightly turns to Young Sik with a raised palm stopping him from answering. Focusing on the Korean diplomat, she places her palms down on the table with a pleasant smile, but her voice is cold and dismissive, "As you are aware, my name is Cosette Mastromonoco. I am an Anthropologist who has graduated from both Yale and Oxford with fifteen years of both research and fieldwork. For those unfamiliar with my field, it means studying human biology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics. So I have the qualifications to detect the changes within a culture, the impact of languages, and the experience to spot a fake when I see one. As for references, does Director Eo Geum of the Ministry of Agriculture and Director Cheon of Unification, then the Professor Geun of Soeul University Department of Anthropology, put your reservations at rest?"

Closing the padfolio, she looks to the rest of the occupants. The hard glint within her eyes seem to soften, changing her voice to a softer inviting tone, "Now, gentleman, are there any further inquiries?"

Tapping the table, Mr. Levesque rapidly questions in French, "Did you train this boy? When are you available for other projects?"

Cosette responds in French and then again in Korean. "My team is personally vetted and trained by myself. As for availability, please direct any project summaries through Mr. Choi, and we will get back to you within 72 hours of the inquiry as we must assess if we have the expertise and bandwidth to give the diligent attention it deserves."

Nodding in agreement, the CEO of Trinity Lumber sits back and begins glancing through the material given.

Ignoring the diplomat, she looks to the rest of the men, "Is that gentlemen?." Each nod in agreement. Denes coughs into his hand, covering his laughter. Min-Woo tries not to swallow his tongue. Giving her junior an encouraging nod and a slight smile, she looks to Jun-ho to escort her out of the room.

Only after the door closes and the clicking of her high heel boots fades does Min-Woo look at Myeong-Seok. Myeong-Seok murmurs, "Yes, they don't make that here."

David tips his head in Young Sik, 'Is she always that intense?" Young Sik, grins, "Maestro-nim is very formal and unorthodox, but the lessons and rewards are so worth it."