A company's warehouse was destroyed by a tornado on March $15.$ The following information was the only information that was salvaged:

$1.$ Inventory, beginning: $$28,000$

$2.$ Purchases for the period: $$17,000$

$3.$ Sales for the period: $$55,00$

$4.$ Sales returns for the period: $$700$

The company's average gross profit ratio is $35\%.$ What is the estimated cost of the lost inventory?

A$.$ $ $9,705.$

B$.$ $$25,995.$

C$.$ $$29,250.$

D$.$ $$44,000.$

E$.$ $$45,000.$