Chapter 123 The Threshold Moment

• On her ninth birthday, Emma realised that her childhood was changing into something new because her abilities and opportunities started to demand decisions that would radically alter her course in life while respecting the principles and connections that had enabled her remarkable growth.
• Subtle shifts in how people reacted to Emma's contributions and ideas were one way the changeover showed up. Her study findings were referenced in scholarly conversations, her artistic creations were assessed according to professional standards, and adults took her recommendations seriously during community gatherings.
• Emma felt both joy and apprehension at realising her evolving status. Although she occasionally missed the more straightforward interactions of her early years, when her ideas were praised for their zeal rather than assessed for their truth and quality, she valued being taken seriously.