Episode 9 of "Good Partner" kicks off with Eun-kyung standing resolute yet tearful at Choi Sa-ra's doorstep, her voice a mix of threat and sorrow, until Yu-ri's mother intervenes, gently escorting her to Yu-ri's abode. There, the matron offers Eun-kyung solace, whispering words of encouragement that this stormy period shall eventually dissipate.
The dawn brings a new challenge for Yu-ri and Eun-kyung, as they're tasked with a case embroiling a client who finds herself embroiled in an illicit romance with a married man and a new parent. The client, devoid of remorse, paints herself as the innocent victim, seduced by the charms of another, disregarding the pain she's inflicted upon the man's pregnant wife. Eun-kyung battles to maintain her composure, striving to uphold professionalism amidst her client's misguided sense of justice, as the woman viciously disparages the wronged spouse.
As the woman's narrative unfolds, the show weaves a flashback, revealing the chance encounter that sparked Ji-sang and Sa-ra's affair. It was but a routine errand for Sa-ra, Eun-kyung's secretary, that unexpectedly blossomed into a forbidden union.
Sensing Eun-kyung's emotional turmoil stemming from the cases, Yu-ri devises a plan, enlisting Woo-jin's aid to lift her spirits with a trip to indulge in spicy tteokbokki. They decide to temporarily withhold news of Sa-ra's pregnancy from the court, placing Jae-hui's feelings above all else.
Meanwhile, Ji-sang uncovers Sa-ra's hand in Jae-hui's discovery of the pregnancy, igniting a fiery confrontation that culminates in Ji-sang severing their bond, undeterred by Sa-ra's emotional manipulation. Parallel to this, Eun-kyung and Jae-hui's fractured relationship begins to mend, as they spend precious moments together, Eun-kyung even picking Jae-hui up from her classes, fostering a newfound closeness.
The following day, Yu-ri receives a heartfelt letter from the plaintiff—the betrayed wife—who confesses that her husband's betrayal stemmed from her inability to fulfill him during her pregnancy. Through those poignant words, Eun-kyung realizes that beyond monetary compensation, what the plaintiff yearned for was a sincere apology from their client, a gesture that could potentially heal the wounds of betrayal.
During the intricate mediation proceedings, Eun-kyung passionately argued that the plaintiff deserved more than mere financial compensation; an apology was imperative, as no monetary value could erase the past wounds. The client, offering a hesitant apology tinged with insincerity, still managed to elicit a grudging acceptance from the plaintiff. Despite its lack of genuineness, Eun-kyung valiantly vouched for her client's remorse, driven not by a desire to salvage their reputation, but to pave the way for the plaintiff's healing journey.
Later, when Eun-kyung and Yu-ri delved into the plaintiff's personal life, her response echoed a familiar refrain: she lingered in her marriage, yearning for an apology that would unlock the door to closure and freedom. This revelation struck a chord with Eun-kyung, who realized she too might have been lingering, waiting for an apology from Ji-sang that seemed forever elusive.
Yu-ri, deeply troubled by Eun-kyung's plight, sought solace in Eun-ho's ears over drinks, uncertain of how to alleviate her client's suffering when the longed-for apology might never materialize. Meanwhile, Woo-jin joined Eun-kyung, where she confessed her unwavering devotion to Jae-hui's well-being.
The following day, a surprising turn of events unfolded as Choi Sa-ra, with knees bent in submission, offered Eun-kyung a contrite apology. Though it initially appeared calculated, an attempt to mitigate legal liabilities, Yu-ri's revelation shed light on a nobler motive—Sa-ra's quest for pride as a mother, unburdened by guilt. Though Eun-kyung refused to accept the apology at face value, it nonetheless served as a catharsis, enabling her to assure Jae-hui of a semblance of closure. She gratefully acknowledged Yu-ri's role in this unexpected turn of events.
As the episode drew to a close, Eun-kyung and Jae-hui engaged in a heartwarming cooking session, their bond strengthened by a mutual apology. Through Yu-ri's poignant voiceover, we learned that Jae-hui had been self-blaming for her parents' discontent, a weight now lifted as they embraced, signifying the dawn of a new, more harmonious chapter in their relationship.
