Entity magic get by reference

Hi there,

I am trying to build a very loose lazy lead within my entities for pivots.

for e.g (not a working example, just so you can get the logic):

PHP Code:

class Car extends Entity
{
    protected $drivers = 'load';

    public function setDrivers()
    {
        $this->drivers = (Model())->findAll();
    }
    
    public function getDrivers()
    {
        if ($this->drivers === 'load')
        { 
            $this->setDrivers();
        }
        return $this->drivers; 
    }
} 


As the getXxxx method call the entity magic __get method I am getting the

Code:

ErrorException Indirect modification of overloaded property

error when calling Car->drivers.

This can be solved very easily by me modifying the core Entity class to make the magic get "by reference" e.g

PHP Code:

&__get(string $key) 


My question is is CI4 purposely built to not pass by reference and will this break anything / cause a problem with CI in any way?

Any info would be much appreciated as I dont want to break something deep in the workings of CI.

Thanks in advance,
Ben