Adkins Bakery uses the mosified half $-$ month convention to calculate depreciation expense in the year an asset is purchased or sold. Adkins tias a calendar year accounting period and uses the straight$-$line method to compute depreciation expense. On March $17,2025,$ Adkins acquired equipment at a cost of $$120,000.$ The equipment has a residual value of $$36,000$ and an estimated useful life of four $(4)$ years. What amount of depreciation expense will be recorded for the year ending December $31,2025?$ Round any intermediate calculations to two $(2)$ decimal places, and the final answer to the nearest dollar.

A$.$ $$21,000$

B$.$ $$10,500$

c$.$ $$17,500$

D$.$ $$15,75$