Episode 9 of Partner Track kicks off with Ingrid unexpectedly appearing at Nick's doorstep. Her arrival did not elicit a warm welcome, as Nick was visibly displeased. Despite her attempts to explain the complexities of her relationship with Jeff, her words fell on unsympathetic ears. Instead, she handed back the ring, acknowledging Nick's goodness but signaling the end of their romantic journey. This closure was both literal and figurative, as the door to their relationship firmly shut.
Undeterred, Ingrid wasted no time moving on to Jeff. She invited him over, and their reunion was swift and passionate, kisses and touches exchanged without hesitation. The break-up seemed to have left little impact on Ingrid as she embraced the newfound intensity of her relationship with Jeff.
A week flew by, and the two continued to indulge in their whirlwind romance, stealing kisses and light touches whenever possible, whether at the office or at home. Was it the depth of love or just the thrill of lust?
Tyler, on the other hand, was eager to rebound and get back on the horse. He had plans to scout a place in SoHo and even secured an interview at the rival law firm, Hotham and White. His prospects seemed promising, and given his near-partner status, the firm saw him as a valuable asset.
However, his optimism was short-lived. In the elevator, he overheard men objectifying a woman, rating her on a scale of 1 to 10. This rude behavior immediately tainted his impression of the law firm.
Rachel, meanwhile, was anxiously awaiting a writing opportunity while pondering the content of her potential resignation letter—if she ever decided to write one. Her anxiety was heightened when she discovered that Justin had replied to her email about bagels with a lewd message, full of emojis and highly subjective language. Unfortunately, he had sent it to everyone on the email chain. Awkward!
Dan quickly alerted her to the blunder, and Rachel's anger erupted. She severed all ties with Justin, leaving no room for reconciliation.
Amidst all the drama, Ingrid gracefully attended the celebration marking the finalization of the Min and Sun Corp partnership. Despite her involvement in securing the deal, she felt uneasy about deceiving Z, and the attention she received as the driving force behind the partnership only added to her discomfort.
Meanwhile, the Valentine's Day partnership celebration encountered a hiccup as Ingrid and Jeff discovered that Hunter had surreptitiously snagged Bearington, a prestigious client, for his clientele. They had confidently vouched for Marty as their choice, but with Ingrid's impressive achievements at Sun Corp, Jeff realized he stood no chance of becoming one of the coveted three partners this year.
Tyler's prospects brightened slightly when a sublet in Queens was proposed as a potential new start. Initially dismissive, he eventually viewed it with cautious optimism. The area boasted a top-notch gym, and surprisingly, Valdo was also a regular there. He teased Tyler about his disheveled appearance, challenging him to be the action-oriented guy he portrayed on Instagram rather than just a man in a suit. This encounter left Tyler with much to ponder.
As the Christmas work party rolled around, Ingrid stole the show in a breathtaking dress. Everyone raised a toast to her achievements, including Dan and Hunter, though their own self-congratulatory toasts for their recent partnership promotion were not far behind.
Rachel's arrival was overshadowed by tension with Justin. She also received devastating news: she had failed to secure a spot in the Syndicate and had not been promoted to partner due to her lack of work hours compared to her colleagues. Unsurprisingly, she blamed Justin, accusing his email as the reason for her mockery. But Justin, tired of being her scapegoat, sternly asked her to stop blaming him for her shortcomings.
During the Annual Partnership speech, Dan, Hunter, and Jeff were announced as the new partners in the M&A department. Ingrid was furious after all her diligent efforts. Confronting Marty, he arrogantly advised her to "put in a little more effort." Enraged, Ingrid cursed him out and decided to quit, her dreams of partnership shattered.