"And I'm done with page eight," Serena announced in a tired voice, dropping her pen for the umpteenth time that day. She leaned back in her chair, stretching her stiff shoulders as she lifted the piece of paper she had been writing on. Her eyes scanned the contents with a mixture of pride and disappointment. It wasn't what she had been expecting, but it was progress nonetheless. The notes she had painstakingly transcribed were a testament to her dedication, even if they didn't yield the breakthrough she had hoped for.
Beside her, Dr. Marlowe shook her head softly, concern etched on her features. Her eyes, usually sharp and analytical, now held a softness as she observed Serena's exhaustion.
"You've been working on this for over seven hours already. I think you should take a rest. You still have an event to attend later," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
