Returning half could also have been a way of subliminally saying "Shut up, right now, you got your money and don't mess up my strategy."
“This person didn’t behave how I think I would behave in this situation, so she’s probably guilty.”
But many people get extremely defensive and indignant when caught cheating or lying. Do returning half the money when cornered by Adelstein is evidence of nothing, either way.
The house makes money on a take rate, but the alleged cheaters winnings came directly from other players.
There’s no “be chill, I’m trying to get money from the house” aspect here.