* <p><b>NOTE:</b> The object-graph nagivation actually takes place via the
     * {@link ReflectionValueExtractor} class.</p>
     */
    public Object getValue(String expression) {
        if (expression == null || expression.trim().isEmpty()) {
            return null;
        }

        try {
            return ReflectionValueExtractor.evaluate(expression, root, false);
        } catch (Exception e) {