Read this text and choose the most appropriate answer.

Emma sat at her desk in the busy open$-$office environment, surrounded by the persistent hum of ringing phones and the chatter of colleagues engaged in animated conversations. As the deadline for a crucial project approached, the demands and expectations from various team members and departments seemed insurmountable. The constant influx of urgent tasks, coupled with the need for meticulous attention to detail, created a sensation in Emma's head The tight grip of stress and the overwhelming workload left her struggling to maintain focus and composure, making each passing moment feel like an eternity in the relentless grip of pressure.

a$.$ If as it were six feet under

b$.$ As if it were being clamped in a vice

C$.$ As if it were six feet under

d$.$ As it if were being clamped in a vice