If you watch women/men in your work place who act like victims and watch how they work and how they are treated in response by their managers. You can learn a whole lot about putting in the bare minimum and where the line is to not get fired right away. Remember they are very good at manipulation intented/unintended and you can learn a lot from them.
1. You have some drama in your life that is over arching and is impacting your work but you are working through it. Whether it's real or not doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the perception that you are a victim of some sort. You decide on what the story is. You can always bring this up as a reason for not having time or resources to finish something on time.
2. When asked why it's taking too long, there is always an obstacle that you are overcoming and working through. Emphasize your perseverance to get it working.
3. Every chance you get align yourself with someone who is right publicly so you can also look good in front the manager.
These are the behaviours I have witnessed in my career that have worked.
Because of our society it also helps if you have a oily hole between your legs as well. Wish it didn't but it does. Especially with the alpha managers female/male.
As far as ethics, your managers and their managers have none because they can't afford them since they want to go up the ladder as you do. At this point in your story, they are wolves and are eating you, regardless if it's intended or unintended, you are affected. Eating them in your own way is not only your choice but it's the only one beneficial to you if you don't want to find another job.
They are called managers but nobody says you can't manage them in your own way.